You can’t blame a couple for feeling awkward around each other after they’ve divorced, but one Washington dad says he was scolded by his ex-wife when visiting his son in the ER. Going by the username Sq10e on Reddit, the parent wondered whether he did anything wrong; he was his son’s father, after all. “But I am also autistic, and not always the most aware of cues,” Sq10e noted.
In his post on r/AITAH, the dad explained his wife divorced him a couple of months ago after 15 years of marriage, so they now took turns on weekends spending time with their three children. The eldest 14-year-old son was sick and had to be taken to urgent care, so the dad agreed to care for the other two kids as his ex sent him updates. After dropping off the two at their grandparents, he went to see his son at the hospital unannounced, and his ex was none too pleased.
She immediately questioned him, asking why he was there and what he “hoped to accomplish” with the visit. After he went home, Sq10e said he received a long text “about how he made her uncomfortable and that he wasn’t trusting her to handle [things].” As for Reddit’s reaction, users picked a clear side in this story.
Reddit Supported the Dad, Saying The Focus Was the Son, Not the Ex-Couple’s Drama
Among the thousands who tuned into the dad’s story, hundreds of Redditors expressed their support in the comments. “This moment isn’t about you, or her, or you and her, it’s about your kid,” remarked a user, adding how the ex-wife needs to “get over it” and focus on the son. Another chimed in, agreeing that the dad did the right thing. “Kids want their parents there in super scary situations,” they wrote.
Many others criticized the ex, saying her reaction to the dad’s visit was uncalled for. “It’s such an odd response to a father showing up for his child,” said a Redditor. “I can’t think of a good reason why she would do that.” A second accused the mom of trying to start drama. “She needs to look past her devious self and be glad that he showed up. For real, some people are self-absorbed,” they exclaimed.
Sq10e said he never responded to his ex-wife’s message complaining about his ER visit that evening. He might have left out some additional context, but Reddit’s opinion was clear regardless. Autistic or not, the dad should have been there for his son, people agreed. It wasn’t about who feels comfortable around whom; the son needed parents who were there for him, so the dad did his job.
