We all know that teenage years can be a rollercoaster of emotions and, let’s face it, sometimes poor decision-making. But what happens when a teen’s choice to ignore medical advice leads to a hefty medical bill? In today’s tale of family drama, we have a 16-year-old soccer star named Austin, who, after suffering a nasty sprained ankle, decided to push through the pain and participate in a school dance performance. But when things take a turn for the worse, Austin’s dad puts his foot down (no pun intended) and demands that his ex-wife, Austin’s mom, cover the cost of their son’s surgery. Is he being unreasonable, or is he simply holding her accountable for giving their son the green light to dance? Let’s dive into this story and find out!
⚽️ Son’s Nasty Sprained Ankle
Six Weeks of Rest
School Rally Performance
Grease Dance Performance
♂️ Mom’s Approval
Obvious Pain
Loaf of Bread Ankle
⚕️ Ortho Doctor’s Diagnosis
Surgery Option
Talking to Mom
Insurance Coverage
Refusing to Pay
Ex’s Response
⚖️ Court Threat
♂️ Son’s Irresponsibility
No Ankle Wrap
Dad Demands Ex-Wife Pay for Son’s Surgery
After Austin, a 16-year-old soccer player, suffers a nasty sprained ankle, his doctor advises him to rest for six weeks. However, when a school dance performance comes up, Austin miraculously feels better and decides to participate. His dad, skeptical of this sudden recovery, warns his ex-wife (Austin’s mom) that she’ll be responsible for any medical bills if their son gets injured. Sure enough, Austin’s ankle swells up like a loaf of bread after the performance, and he’s left needing surgery. With a copay of 3k, his dad refuses to contribute, arguing that his ex-wife gave Austin the go-ahead to dance despite the risks. ♂️ She claims it’s not fair, but he’s adamant that she should pay up or take him to court. ⚖️ Let’s see what the internet thinks of this dramatic family dilemma.
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Dad refuses to pay for son’s surgery after ex-wife approved dance. NTA.
Focus on custody agreement for medical expenses, not opinions.
Prioritizing money over son’s health? Let’s focus on what’s important.
All parties at fault for son’s injury, payment is minor
Both parents blamed for son’s dance injury, dad refuses to pay.
YTA for not standing up to your son. Split the cost.
Both parents at fault for son’s surgery, prioritize his health
Co-parenting struggles: Dad seeks financial help from ex-wife for son’s surgery
Parenting fail: Both dad and ex-wife should have prevented injury
User sympathizes with father’s decision to not pay for son’s surgery.
Dad is ESH for not taking responsibility for son’s surgery.
Parent criticized for blaming ex-wife for son’s dance-off injury. YTA.
Both parents criticized for prioritizing revenge over son’s safety
Parental pride shouldn’t come before a child’s health. YTA
Consulting your ex is crucial, or face the judge
Both parents share blame, but son’s surgery should be top priority
Parenting conflict: Who is responsible for child’s injury bills?
Father criticized for not paying son’s surgery bills. YTA.
Both parents need to prioritize their son’s health and future.
User thinks both dad and ex-wife should pay for son’s surgery
Co-parenting gone wrong. Put your child first.
Mom can’t be trusted with son’s health, but unilateral surgery ESH
User calls out dad for not meeting legal responsibilities. ESH.
When parents let their issues affect their child’s health.
Set the terms, stick to them! Ex-wife should pay
Divorced dad called out for not following parenting agreement
YTA for not wanting to pay for surgery you admit is necessary.
Co-parenting gone wrong? ESH wants ex to pay for son’s surgery
Both parents share the blame, split the deductible
Parenting 101: Take responsibility for your child’s medical needs. YTA.
Parenting conflict leads to son’s injury and YTA judgement
Parents in custody dispute prioritize squabbling over child’s health. ESH.
50% deductible payment is in custody papers. YTA confirmed.
Both parents share the blame for son’s injury and surgery
Dad enforces consequences, surprises ex-wife. NTA
Both parents at fault, should split costs evenly.
Both parents criticized for dance injury, calling son’s pain whining
User thinks father is TA for trying to stick ex-wife with son’s surgery bill. Suggests both parents split the cost equally.
Punishing the son and arguing over money makes ESH. Focus on son’s health and future instead.
Don’t shirk your responsibility as a parent. Be supportive instead.
User calls out dad for being passive aggressive in comment
Don’t be a deadbeat dad. It’s a 50/50 responsibility.
Teens will be teens, but who pays for the consequences?
Parent is the ‘a**hole’ for not wanting to pay for son’s surgery
16-year-old son’s dance injury: ESH for not taking appropriate action
Parenting gone wrong? Engage with caution
Setting boundaries with kids: tough love or neglectful parenting?
Parenthood can be tough, focus on the teachable moment
Parent criticized for not taking responsibility for son’s surgery
User calls out the YTA but advises to be the better parent
User calls out OP for making unilateral decision on surgery
Parental priorities questioned in costly dance injury aftermath. ESH.
Parental responsibilities and emotional support for injured child.
Parental conflict over child’s medical expenses. Yikes.
Parental conflict over surgery payment, YTA accused with evidence.
OP’s toxic behavior towards ex-wife and son criticized heavily.
Father not responsible for son’s surgery. Wife should pay. ♂️
Teenage boys will be teenage boys, but ex-wife should pay.
ESH, but important lesson on chronic injuries for son
User accuses OP of being the a**hole for making decision unilaterally
16-year-old’s surgery, dad should pay half deductible. YTA.
Divorced dad criticized for not consulting ex about son’s surgery
Did the dad try to stop the dance? ESH if not.
Parenting dilemma: Punish son or pay for surgery? YTA.
Legally incorrect NTA comment can lead to court battle
Teaching responsibility: Should parents make their child pay for mistakes?
Insurance company lawsuit over payment. Do you risk it?
Should the dad or ex-wife pay for son’s surgery? NAH/YTA.
Netball player shares personal experience, deems NTA.
NTA dad stands his ground against ‘cool’ mom for son’s health
Agreement with commenter’s stance on financial responsibility in custody dispute.
Ex-wife’s encouragement doesn’t justify supporting stupidity. #NTA
Compassionate reply acknowledges tough situation but predicts payment responsibility.
Concerned comment about son’s injury and pain tolerance.
Teach responsibility: make son pay deductible for surgery
Joint parenting agreement may trump good intentions
Put your son first , pay for it, then go after her. #NTA
Make sure to consult custody agreement before medical decisions. YTA.
Debating the severity of son’s injury.
