Family Vacation Canceled Over Beach Phobia: Is Dad the Bad Guy Here? ️

Summertime is synonymous with family vacations, but for one family, the annual getaway has become a battleground. The father and mother are at loggerheads over the destination: a beach resort. Sounds idyllic, right? Not quite. Their older son, traumatized by a friend’s drowning incident, can’t bear the thought of setting foot on a beach. The mother believes the beach could be therapeutic, while the father thinks it’s a recipe for disaster. So, the father pulled the plug on the vacation. But was he right to do so? Let’s dive into the story. ‍ ‍ ‍

The Annual Family Vacation Tradition

The Beach Resort Proposal ️

The Traumatic Incident

The Aftermath: Therapy and Panic Attacks

Mom’s Therapy Theory

Dad’s Dilemma: Therapy or Trauma? ‍♂️

The Ultimatum: Beach or Bust ️

The Fallout: Family Tension

The Unfairness Claim: The Youngest Kid

Dad’s Defense: Protecting His Son ‍

The Therapist’s Advice: Go At His Pace

Beach Phobia vs Family Vacation: Who’s in the Right? ‍♀️

In a nutshell, this family’s annual vacation has turned into a hotbed of conflict. The father, wanting to protect his traumatized son, vetoed the mother’s beach resort proposal. The mother, on the other hand, believes that the beach could be the key to their son’s healing. The father’s decision to cancel the vacation has left the family in a state of tension, with accusations of unfairness and insensitivity flying around. The question remains: Did the dad make the right call? Or should he have considered his wife’s perspective more? Let’s see what the internet has to say about this heated situation… ‍ ‍ ‍

“NTA

You don’t want to bring your son to a place that reminds him of a place where his friend died less than a year ago… That is incredibly reasonable” – Empathy and understanding for a grieving child

NTA. Wife’s insensitivity to son’s trauma is unacceptable

NTA. Wife’s exposure therapy idea is piss-poor. Stick up for son!

“NTA. Your son witnessed his friend die four months ago. It’s completely reasonable for you to not want to force him to be uncomfortable for an entire week just because your wife wants a beach vacation. He needs time and space to grieve, not to be retraumatized by your wife.”

NTA: You’re being a good parent. Happy cake day!

Wife’s callousness towards traumatized son ruins family vacation. NTA.

NTA but your wife is. Take your sons on vacation

Dad stands firm on canceling vacation due to son’s trauma.

NTA. Son’s safety comes first. Beach phobia is understandable.

“NTA. Your poor son. I’m sorry man. Immersion therapy won’t work.”

NTA: Family trip as exposure therapy? Cruel and unnecessary.

NTA: Parent’s beach phobia affects kids, not just herself. ‍♂️

Empathy needed: Wife should understand son’s beach phobia.

NTA, wife insensitive. Let child work trauma with therapist

Commenter defends someone and calls out the a**hole. NTA

Seek professional guidance for your son’s recovery. NTA

NTA – Encourage counseling for her, she may be deflecting. Keep supporting your son!

NTA, wife’s beach phobia causing family vacation chaos.

NTA. Compassionate parenting after a traumatic event.

“NTA. Your son’s trauma should be the top priority. “

NTA: Find alternative vacation spots and enjoy nature in another way!

Trauma therapist praises dad for supporting son’s emotional well-being.

Supportive dad stands up for son against unreasonable wife.

NTA. Son doesn’t want beach, wife controlling. Time for independence!

Wife wants beach vacation, but husband is NTA.

NTA. No doubt about it.

Fiery comment and no replies. Yikes, things got heated!

Heartbreaking incident: Dad cancels vacation due to son’s traumatic experience.

“NTA, but your wife is really something else”

NTA: No a-hole here. Good on you, Dad!

Wife’s beach insistence: support or potential trauma? NTA dilemma.

NTA- Wife needs education on therapy, not forcing fears.

Vacation should be about fun, not therapy!

Dad defends traumatized child, mom disagrees. Who’s right?

Empathizing with the dad’s frustration over his wife’s insensitivity

Dad stands up for son against callous wife.

Heartfelt support for OP’s son’s traumatic beach experience.

Traumatic experience shapes fear of water, NTA for dad.

NTA: Trust the therapist, prioritize your son’s well-being over vacation.

Supportive advice for dealing with a phobia and family conflict

NTA: Wife’s beach idea is stupid, let him overcome fear naturally.

NTA, Wife’s insensitive and selfish. Son traumatized, needs happiness spark. ️

Dad cancels beach trip, but should’ve planned alternative fun activities.

Mom prioritizes beach vacation over traumatized son’s well-being.

Protective dad seeks therapist’s opinion to back him up. ️

Emotional wife prioritizes beach vacation over traumatized son. Woof. ️

Suggest a compromise: Orlando for her, Universal for you!

Dad defends son against wife’s abuse. Not the a**hole.

NTA, but wife’s behavior raises concerns about her stability

Traumatic beach incident makes son afraid of beaches. NTA.

Supportive stranger agrees: Dad’s decision to cancel beach vacation justified!

Empathetic dad stands up for traumatized son against stubborn mother. ‍ ‍ ‍

Compromise with a mountain lake house for a fear of water

“NTA You can have family time ANYWHERE else in the world except the beach! Your wife’s ‘clever’ plan backfired “

NTA! Dad saves the day, wife needs a reality check!

NTA: Protecting your son from trauma is commendable.

Outrage and support for the father’s canceled family vacation.

Wife’s beach obsession causes son’s panic attack. NTA wins!

NTA. Wife’s behavior is questionable.

NTA for not wanting to go on beach vacation with wife

Traumatic experience with water, NTA for protecting son.

NTA. Wife’s beach phobia causes family vacation cancellation. Cold-hearted?

NTA, consider the impact on your kid’s mental health.

“Wtaf NTA, but your wife definitely is.”

Supportive comment: Thank God for the sane parent! NTA

Respecting boundaries and choices in dealing with trauma.

Spoiled mom prioritizes own desires over son’s emotional well-being

NTA. Son needs time to overcome beach phobia. ️

Forced shock therapy? Not a good look. NTA.

NTA- Supportive dad stands up for traumatized son against heartless wife.

Dad cancels vacation due to son’s phobia, wife disagrees. Who’s right?

NTA. Trauma can take time to heal. Support your son ❤️

Wife as a bad movie villain? NTA for canceling vacation!

Comment: WTF is wrong with your wife? You deserve better!

NTA. Awful mother cancels family vacation over beach phobia. Respect son.

Wife tries to traumatize son, NTA dad stands up

NTA. Advocate for your son and find alternative vacation spots.

Putting mental health first: NTA dad vs selfish wife