A father’s love for his son is never in doubt but when the mother of the child is not as enthusiastic, it can cause a rift. A man shares his experience of being a single parent, with his best friend stepping in as a co-parent, and how his son now calls him “Dad.”
The father is happy with the arrangement but the mother is not. Is he in the wrong for allowing his son to call his best friend “Dad”? Read the full story to find out more.
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Man lets son call best friend “Dad,” wife goes ballistic
A man shares his story of how he acted as a single parent for his son and how his best friend helped him through it. But when his son started calling his best friend “Dad,” his wife went ballistic. Despite his wife’s reaction, he didn’t correct his son and even got his best friend’s approval.
The situation has caused a huge downward spiral in his relationship with his wife. Does he have the right to let his son call his best friend “Dad” or is he the a-hole in this situation?
Read on to find out and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Normalize close emotional friendships between men. NTA for examining feelings.
Father seeks support from friend, wife jealous and suspicious. NTA.
Father takes on all responsibility for son, wife uninterested
A mother with PPD shares her experience and advises the husband to offer unconditional support and therapy to his wife.
Debate over whether husband is TA for son calling friend ‘Dad’
Neglecting wife’s depression and child’s relationship. YTA.
Growing up with a depressed parent affects emotional regulation. NTA.
Father criticized for leaving sick wife alone to care for child. YTA ♂️
Postpartum is a huge deal and she needs help. Matt’s NTA.
Father struggles to bond with son and wife, but finds reward
Doubts raised about the validity of the story
Commenter accuses OP of being selfish and having an emotional affair.
Debate on whether PPD excuses prolonged uninvolved parenting
Husband criticized for emotionally cheating and playing house with friend.
Father seeks help for wife’s PPD and son’s secondary caregiver bond
Man’s friend is a ‘f***ing legend’, advises therapy for wife.
Supporting a friend and seeking help for postpartum depression
Commenter calls out OP for emotional affair and cheating.
Commenter calls out OP for not helping wife with PPD.
The three of them need to talk about what a future looks like
Mother dismisses PPD concerns, child suffers consequences.
Father seeks help from friend, wife disapproves. NTA.
Seeking help: A plea for more information about the situation
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Speech delayed son calls best friend “Dad,” wife overreacts. NT A-hole.
Supportive response to father’s struggles with wife’s PPD
Commenter questions lack of support for potentially ill wife.
Calling someone “Dad” in a time of need – NTA
Commenter calls out father for not getting his wife help for possible PPD, suggests ultimatum.
Man prioritizes friend over supporting wife with PPD, YTA.
Breaking gender norms and having a platonic support system ❤️
Stay-at-home dad criticized for not working while wife has PPD.
Concerned commenter questions if wife wanted child, suggests compassion and understanding.
Supportive comment suggests wife needs help due to PPD.
Offering support to a struggling spouse during tough times ❤️
Toddler calls friend “Dad”, mom overreacts. NTA.
Commenter suggests larger issues in strained marriage, gives NAH judgment.
Seek therapy for the sake of your family’s happiness
Is the use of ‘Dad’ a symptom of deeper issues?
Supportive comment encourages man to pursue relationship with best friend.
Preschool teacher suggests therapy for strained family dynamics. ♂️
Parenting challenges and PPD struggles, ESH/YTA situation with hurtful comments
Concerned comment suggests PPD or mental health issue for wife
Breaking gender norms and embracing diverse parenting styles.
Commenter calls out father for prioritizing friend over depressed wife
Supportive comment defends husband’s decision to let son call friend ‘Dad’
Curious Redditors want to hear the other side
Parenting alone while spouse struggles: NTA, seek professional help
Is it normal to give non-relatives aunt/uncle titles? YTA.
Using family nicknames is harmless, wife needs therapy
Navigating postpartum depression and new parenthood – communication is key
Curious comment asks why OP isn’t with Matt.
