AITAH for telling my wife to stop making her eating disorder obvious to the kids?

In a quiet family kitchen, a father’s worry boils over as his 10-year-old daughter echoes her mother’s fear of “bad” foods like rice, mirroring her mother’s lifelong eating disorder. This Reddit tale dives into a tense confrontation where he begs his wife to stop making harmful comments, only to face her biting sarcasm. It’s a raw snapshot of love tangled with fear for a child’s health, set against the backdrop of a mother’s struggle.

The wife, once on a path to recovery, relapsed after childbirth and now resists help, leaving her husband scrambling to protect their daughters. When their eldest skips carbs, citing bloating, he sees warning signs of a dangerous cycle. Is he wrong to demand change, or is this a desperate plea to shield his kids? The Reddit post lays it bare.

‘AITAH for telling my wife to stop making her eating disorder obvious to the kids?’

Parenting while managing mental health issues can feel like navigating a storm. The father’s plea for his wife to curb her eating disorder comments stems from seeing their daughter mimic unhealthy habits, like refusing rice to avoid bloating. His wife’s refusal to seek help and her defensive sarcasm highlight the grip of her disorder, but her influence risks shaping their child’s relationship with food. Both are caught in a painful bind—his protective instinct versus her struggle to cope.

Eating disorders often ripple through families. A 2023 study in Eating Disorders found that children of parents with eating disorders are 3 times more likely to develop similar issues (source). The father’s concern is valid, as early intervention is critical. Dr. Cynthia Bulik, an eating disorder expert, states, “Parental modeling shapes children’s food attitudes—recovery requires conscious effort to break harmful cycles” (source).

Therapy for the daughter, focusing on nutrition education, and family counseling could help. The wife might benefit from revisiting treatment, perhaps through outpatient programs. Positive activities, like cooking together, could reframe food as joy, not fear.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit users didn’t hold back, tossing out raw empathy and tough advice like a family intervention. From personal stories to urgent calls for action, the comments are a heartfelt mix. Here they are:

These fiery takes urge protection for the kids but question the wife’s resistance—do they capture the full weight of this family’s struggle?

This Reddit saga lays bare the ripple effects of an eating disorder, where a mother’s struggle threatens her daughter’s health, and a father’s plea sparks tension. His push to shield his kids clashes with his wife’s resistance, highlighting the need for professional help and open dialogue. What would you do to protect a child in this situation? Share your thoughts—how do you navigate mental health challenges in a family?