AITA for wishing my dad good luck when all he has left is his affair partner because he won’t see my brother in the hospital when she’s not welcome?
The ache of betrayal isn’t just emotional—it can echo through every hospital corridor and courtroom. When a parent’s misplaced loyalty to a romantic partner sidelines a child’s basic need for support, resentment can harden into defiance. In this story, two teenage siblings find themselves trapped in a custody arrangement they never chose, forced to share equal time with a father who abandoned their mother for the woman next door.
As one brother battles severe asthma in the hospital, he makes a simple request: don’t let her visit. Yet his plea is ignored, and their father quietly chooses his new wife over his own son’s recovery. What happens when love turns into a bargaining chip, and a child’s pain becomes collateral damage?
‘AITA for wishing my dad good luck when all he has left is his affair partner because he won’t see my brother in the hospital when she’s not welcome?’
Letting a parent’s romantic relationship eclipse their responsibilities can create lasting emotional wounds. In situations like this, adolescents often feel forced to “choose sides,” which can deepen feelings of abandonment and anger. As in this case, the father’s decision to stand by his affair partner rather than comfort his sick son has escalated normal teenage frustration into a full-blown estrangement.
This scenario also highlights a broader trend: family estrangement is on the rise. A 2016 BBC report found that about 15% of adult children in Western countries report being estranged from a parent due to perceived neglect or boundary violations (source: BBC) — a figure that’s only grown as divorce and blended families become more common. Such statistics illustrate how vital consistent parental support is to children’s emotional and physical well-being.
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, a licensed marriage and family therapist, asserts: “When a parent prioritizes a romantic partner over their child’s expressed needs, the breach of trust can become irreparable.”¹ In this family’s case, the siblings’ refusal to accept the stepmother isn’t mere stubbornness—it’s a defensive response to years of broken promises and divided loyalties.
Moving forward, open communication and professional mediation could help mend these fractured bonds. Parents should validate their children’s feelings, perhaps beginning with family therapy sessions or supervised visits that respect hospital rules. Experts recommend setting clear boundaries—for example, allowing hospital staff to enforce visitor restrictions—so that emotional support isn’t held hostage by relationship conflicts.
Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:
Across the board, readers sided firmly with the teens. Most felt the father’s refusal to visit his hospitalized son without his affair partner was inexcusable, viewing it as a blatant betrayal of parental duty. Many applauded the siblings for standing their ground and even suggested pursuing a custody modification so they could live full‑time with their mother.
While a handful cautioned against severing ties completely, the prevailing sentiment was clear: actions have consequences, and choosing a romantic partner over a child in need crosses an unforgivable line. Ultimately, the community encouraged the teens to maintain their boundary until genuine accountability emerges.
This family’s story raises tough questions about loyalty, boundaries, and the true meaning of parental love. If you were in the siblings’ shoes, how would you handle a parent who puts a romantic relationship above your health and well‑being? Share your thoughts, personal experiences, or advice below—let’s discuss!
