Picture this: you’re a mom with four kids, and your oldest daughter is struggling with an autoimmune disease. To make matters worse, your recent split from your ex has left you juggling custody and dealing with his refusal to see your oldest child. With your daughter hospitalized for meningitis, your younger kids are frustrated and confused about why you’re spending so much time at the hospital. Desperate for a solution, you enlist the help of a pediatric nurse friend to explain the situation to your younger kids. But, as it turns out, not everyone is happy with your decision. ♀️ Let’s dive into this emotional rollercoaster of a story.
The Split
The Oldest Daughter’s Struggles
Hospital Trauma
Meningitis Strikes ⚠️
Viral Meningitis
Younger Kids’ Frustration
Ice Cream & Explanations
Ex’s Anger
Parents’ Disapproval
Caught in the Middle: Mom, Kids, and a Hospital Drama
Our protagonist, a mom of four, is dealing with the aftermath of a split and her ex’s refusal to see their oldest daughter, who’s suffering from an autoimmune disease. When the daughter is hospitalized for meningitis, the younger kids grow frustrated with their mom’s constant presence at the hospital. Seeking help, she calls her pediatric nurse friend to take the kids out for ice cream and explain the situation. The kids seem to understand, but the ex and the mom’s parents are not pleased, accusing her of guilt-tripping the kids and exposing them to their sister’s medical issues too soon. Let’s see what the internet thinks of this heart-wrenching situation…
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Prioritizing sick child is tough, but other kids need attention too.
Honesty with children is important for building trust
Dad refuses to see oldest child, commenters call him out
Being honest with your children in a difficult situation
Ex and parents are TA, ex is a huge AH
Did the friend warn about dad’s refusal beforehand?
Parent criticized for not handling her kids’ emotional needs. YTA ♀️
Prioritizing sick daughter, but long term plan needed for other kids. NTA
Kids are capable of understanding unfair medical situations. NTA.
Harsh criticism for favoring sick child over siblings.
Balancing parenting after a breakup is tough for everyone.
Being honest with kids about sick sibling- NTA
NTA, but friend was AH for sharing father’s lack of involvement. Solution needed to avoid abandoning younger kids during oldest’s hospital visits. Ex could ask for custody.
Parenting advice gone wrong. ESH in awkward conversation.
Criticism for not explaining sick child’s situation to her siblings
Ex’s poor relationship with daughter, friend helps explain situation. NTA.
User thinks OP is TA for not being honest with kids.
Unpopular opinion: EX not obligated to non-biological child. ♀️
Honesty is key with kids. NTA for explaining daughter’s condition.
Honesty is the best policy, ex is an a**hole.
Ex called out as AH, NTA mom praised for handling situation
Don’t forget about the other kids, they need you too
Honesty is the best policy It’s better for the kids to know why their sister needs more attention.
Putting kids first, standing up to parents. You go, mom!
Mom criticized for neglecting kids and outsourcing sensitive info. ESH.
Finding balance as a parent is important. NTA for explaining.
Parental responsibilities after divorce – potential for resentment
Curious about the catalyst for the ex’s behavior
Prioritizing sick child understandable, but don’t neglect other kids.
Expanding your village is key. Ex needs a brain scan
Being honest with kids during tough times is important.
Stepfather failed to establish boundaries and abandoned daughter in need
Teaching kids about illness and empathy
Honesty is the best policy with children
NTA for explanation, but what about other kids?
Explaining illness to kids important for their understanding
Explaining things to children in an age appropriate manner is crucial
Mom seeks expert help, ex gets angry. NTA wins.
Explaining hospitalization to kids is fair, ex is AH
Mom makes tough call, seeks help from medical professional.
Honesty is key in teaching children important life skills.
Being honest with your children is important, but boundaries are necessary
Being honest with kids during family health crisis is important.
Honesty is the best policy
Honesty is the best policy with kids during tough times
Pediatrician explains why it’s important to explain illness to young kids
Honesty is key, but a little tact goes a long way!
Encourage kids to make cards/FaceTime sick sister. Ex is AH.
Ex-husband causing family trouble over daughter’s illness. NTA.
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Parenting struggles and tough choices. Yikes
Protect children from life’s troubles, smooth things over carefully
The importance of answering children’s questions honestly.
Ex tries to shift blame for cutting eldest out of life. NTA.
Explaining the truth to kids is better than lying
Being a parent to all children, even through tough times.
Find support for siblings at hospital and take care of yourself
Divorce is tough on kids, mother handled it in a mature way
Ex is the a-hole for cutting off oldest child from mom.
Being honest with kids about medical conditions can ease fears. NTA.
Ex-husband called ‘soulless’ for refusing to visit sick child
Encouraging empathy and understanding in kids from a young age
Supportive comment, suggests getting help from family for a break
Why do people play the victim and blame others?
Honesty is the best policy. NTA for telling the truth.
Weekend dad refusing to see oldest child – NTA
NTA empathizes with OP, suggests one-on-one time for younger kids ❤️
Ex wants mom to lie to kids, commenter supports honesty.
Ex’s cruel behavior towards child, seek help from hospital staff
Friend’s handling of situation earns praise for honesty.
Ex refuses to see sick child, young siblings notice. NTA.
Being honest with kids is crucial. You’re NTA.
Supportive comment suggests legal action against emotionally abusive behavior.
Ex wrongly believes young kids’ stories without knowing all facts
Honesty is the best policy with understanding kids.
Ex’s lack of support for sick daughter, NTA gets empathy
