WIBTA if I didn’t let my daughter (15F) go to Orlando even though she paid for it?
Imagine a 15-year-old band geek, Ella, stacking cash like a pro for an Orlando field trip—babysitting her sibs, raking in holiday bucks, the works. The Redditor and her husband watched, proud as punch, as Ella split the cost, turning weekends into mini paydays. They pictured her marching off, flute in hand, living her high school dream.
Then, cue the plot twist: a school call drops a bombshell—Ella’s been a secret bully, targeting a classmate with mental illness over test scores. Nasty notes, rumors, online shade—it’s a parental nightmare. Now, with the victim likely on the same trip, the Redditor’s stuck: let Ella go after all that hustle, or pull the plug? It’s a heart-tugger, and Reddit’s got opinions aplenty. Buckle up for this family fracas!
‘WIBTA if I didn’t let my daughter (15F) go to Orlando even though she paid for it?’
Parenting’s a wild ride, and this Redditor just hit a speed bump. Ella’s hustle for the trip was gold-star stuff—until she showed her claws, bullying a girl over grades and mental health. Mom’s gut says “no trip” to shield the victim, while Dad’s like, “She paid for it!” Fairness versus consequences—it’s a classic clash.
Bullying’s no joke. A 2023 StopBullying.gov report says 20% of teens face it, with mental health targets hit hardest (link: StopBullying.gov). Ella’s “she shouldn’t outscore me” excuse? Pure entitlement with a side of spite. Mom’s instinct to nix the trip isn’t just punishment—it’s protection.
Psychologist Dr. Ross Greene says, “Kids do well if they can” (source: Lives in the Balance). Ella’s lashing out hints at deeper stuff—jealousy, maybe? Canceling could teach her actions bite, but pairing it with a real talk might spark growth. Fair move, or too harsh? You decide!
The Redditor’s got options: ban the trip and dig into Ella’s why, or let her go with tight reins. Either way, empathy’s the goal—how’d you steer this ship?
Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:
Reddit’s dishing out takes hotter than a Florida summer, and it’s a mixed grill! Some shout “NTA, she blew it,” others nudge “ESH, dig deeper.” From “save the victim” to “teach, don’t just punish,” it’s a buffet of wisdom. Peek at the [comment block] below—are these spot-on, or just Reddit’s wild guesses?
The Redditor’s juggling Ella’s hard-earned trip cash and a bullied girl’s peace—talk about a tightrope! Was skipping Orlando the right call, or should Ella get a redemption shot? She’s caught between pride, pain, and parenting, with a band trip dangling. What would you do—ground her from the getaway or craft a comeback plan? Spill your thoughts below—we’re all ears for this one!
