When a mother found out that her ex-husband’s girlfriend had intentionally thrown away the heartfelt crochet blanket she had made for her son, rage consumed her. When she tried to share her grievance with her ex, he refused to listen. In her search for support, she turned to her former in-laws, oblivious to the storm that would follow.
On July 24, 2022, an anonymous female poster shared her story in the “AITA” subreddit. She, a 33-year-old woman, discovered that her ex-husband, a 37-year-old man, cheated on her when she was seven months pregnant with their son. After a divorce, they shared custody of their three-year-old child.
The ex-husband’s girlfriend repeatedly attempted to interfere with the mother’s parenting decisions, even commenting on the child’s name, implying that it should be a mutual choice. She also tried to assert control over what the child should or shouldn’t have, which led to her tossing out items that the mother had personally purchased for the child.
The original poster faced financial difficulties, struggling to make ends meet and unable to replace the items discarded by the girlfriend. However, the ex-husband insisted that it was her “house,” giving her the authority to determine what could or couldn’t be brought in.
Another commenter believed the mother should take more decisive action, considering the girlfriend’s actions as emotionally harmful. They recommended revisiting custody arrangements to minimize potential damage.
Some Redditors questioned the girlfriend’s motivations, suggesting she used the child to provoke the mother and expressing surprise at her behavior. They emphasized the importance of holding both the father and girlfriend accountable for their roles in the situation.
Another commenter criticized the father’s actions, urging the mother to seek changes in custody arrangements due to the harm the girlfriend was causing the child. They highlighted the importance of protecting the child’s well-being.
Lastly, a Redditor emphasized the unjustness of punishing a three-year-old in such a manner. They speculated that the girlfriend’s actions were driven by either intentional cruelty or a lack of understanding, potentially both, signaling a concerning lack of care for the child’s feelings and needs.