I’m not sure if I’m the unreasonable one here or my ex is so…
My ex and his family are veeeeeeeeeery wealthy and I’m not so my children will always experience two dramatically different lifestyles. I want to make navigating that easier on them now that my oldest is reaching an age where he’s noticing and understands there’s a gap between the two sides of his family. I’ve tried discussing it with my ex but it’s a sensitive topic for him because the wealth gap is ultimately what caused us to break up and he very much thinks what he does with the kids isn’t any of my business.
His parents are a big source of the extravagant gifts and fancy surprise trips so after many failed conversations with my ex, I decided to raise my concerns with them directly. They were a lot more receptive to my requests of toning down the number and frequency of gifts and trips so I thought that would be the end of it but my ex thinks I overstepped and claims I have no right to interfere in our children’s relationship with his parents.
His parents are now caught between us because they don’t want to upset either of us but I think my ex is letting his own ego get in the way of doing what’s in the best interest of our children
AITA?
YTA why deprive your children because you’re insecure?
Are you sure your ego is not getting in the way of what’s best for the kids?
YTA
WHY exactly do your children need to get less from their paternal side?
So, there are disparities in the household incomes. That is common.
It is your responsibility as a parent to ensure your children are grounded and understand the extreme privilege they are recipients to from their grandparents and how to be grateful and to learn that there a all kinds of differences in everyone’s households. It does not make anyone better, just luckier.
To just reduce the quality of their lives because you feel it is a competition is petty and small.
This will eventually impact your relationship with your kids as they find out that Grandma and Grandpa wanted to do X but you told them not to gift them as much.
YTA. You don’t want your kids to have nice things because…Why exactly? Because you can’t afford them?
Parents should be thrilled for their kids to experience a life better than what they had. This is clearly about you, not your kids.
YTA – you sound jealous of your in-laws ability to spend. Not a good look. They get one childhood. Let them get the gifts you clearly can’t afford.