Imagine being a child, watching your family go on exciting vacations without you. That’s the reality for one young man, whose father was caught in a bitter battle with his ex-wife over permission to travel. The dad, remarried with a new family, was forced to leave his son behind on multiple trips because his ex-wife refused to grant permission. Now, the son is all grown up and demanding answers. Is the father really to blame, or is the ex-wife the true villain in this heartbreaking tale? Let’s dive into the story…
The Parenting Agreement

Ex-Wife Turns Hostile

Leaving the Son Behind

Court Battles and Family Therapy ️ ️

Proof of Denial

Son Turns 18, Blame Game Begins

Dad’s Compromise Attempt

Trying to Fix the Relationship ➡️❤️

Financial Struggles

Dad’s Tough Decision

Son’s Reaction

Breaking Point

A Father’s Struggle: Caught Between Ex-Wife and Son
This father’s story is one of heartache and frustration, as he was forced to leave his son behind on family vacations due to his ex-wife’s refusal to grant permission. Despite multiple attempts to change the parenting agreement and offering to pay for his now-adult son’s trips, the son remains angry and demands the entire family accompany him on vacations. With finances tight and tensions high, this dad is at his wit’s end. But who’s really to blame in this tangled web of emotions and resentment? ️ Let’s explore the internet’s top responses to this family drama…
Son wants family time, not trips alone. ESH except son.

Ex-wife’s control caused estrangement, but denying others fun is a**hole move. NTA.

Dad leaves son behind on family vacations, causing hurt and resentment
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Co-parenting means compromise and not putting your son in the middle

NTA. Ex-wife’s selfishness causing son to miss out on vacations

Father repeatedly leaving son behind on vacations, YTA according to comment.

Navigating blended families can be tough, but ex-wife is AH ♀️

Ex-wife uses child as a weapon. NTA for moving on
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Ex-wife caused initial issue, but son wants family trips.

Ex-wife’s actions caused son to miss out, but dad prioritized other kids.

Custody battles can ruin family vacations

Father leaves son behind on trips, blames ex-wife. Commenters disagree.

Father excludes son from family vacations, now sending him alone. Commenters criticize father’s approach, suggest he needs to make up for lost time and include son in family activities.

Divorced dad faces backlash for leaving son behind on vacations

Leaving behind a child on trips has long-term impacts.

Dad’s custody time cut short on family vacations

Excluding your son from 4 trips hurt him. YTA.

NTA. Dad tried everything to include son on vacation. Ex-wife’s fault.

Excluding your young child from family vacations makes YTA. Prioritizing extras over your son’s emotional needs is unfair.
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OP’s son not excluded from all vacations, NTA confirmed

OP is the a**hole for manipulating his son against his ex.

Father not at fault for son’s exclusion from vacation.

Son felt excluded from family vacations. ESH except the son
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Son left behind on family vacations, ex-wife to blame? NTA.

Father excludes son from family vacations, causing heartache and resentment.

ESH. Ex-wife used travel permissions to hurt family. Dad mistook travel for family time, son demanding unreasonable finances.
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Commenter calls out dad for prioritizing vacations over son’s emotional well-being

Divorced dad gets sympathy for leaving son during vacations.

Ex-wife’s actions ruin family vacations for 6 years. NTA.

Ex-wife poisons father-son relationship. NTA for leaving son behind.

Speculation on repressed feelings and processing of childhood experiences.

Father leaves son behind on vacations, deemed an a**hole.

Co-parenting struggles: NTA dad dealing with ex-wife’s actions.

Excluding your son from vacations because of bitterness is wrong

NTA dad tries to take son on vacation, ex-wife holds him back. Dad is blamed for trying.

Divorce is tough on everyone involved.

OP is NTA for leaving son behind on family vacations.

Parental mistakes can be fixed. Seek counseling and listen attentively.

Stepdad includes daughter in everything, biological dad excludes her.

Ex-wife holds family hostage, NTA for leaving son behind.

Father’s vacation choices causing resentment in son. ESH.

Divorced dad not at fault for son’s behavior. NTA

Ex-wife’s refusal to allow international travel causes family conflict. NTA.

Ex-wife not at fault for dad leaving son behind

Ex-wife denies son family vacations, NTA for not sending alone.

Father criticized for leaving son alone on vacations
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Commenter calls out dad for leaving son behind on trips
