AITA for sending our son away after he revealed to his sister’s friends that she has dentures?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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The air in the family home turned thick with tension when a 14-year-old girl’s worst fear came true. Her brother, in a moment of inexplicable cruelty, exposed her deeply private struggle with dentures to her friends, unraveling her carefully guarded confidence. The fallout was swift—mockery, bullying, and a shattered sense of safety. The parents, caught between fury and heartbreak, made a drastic choice: send their 16-year-old son away to live with his grandparents, possibly for good.

This story, raw and emotional, pulls us into a family’s unraveling trust. The daughter’s trauma, the son’s betrayal, and the parents’ drastic response spark questions about loyalty, consequences, and the path to healing. How does a family recover when a sibling’s actions cut so deep? Let’s dive into the Reddit post that’s got everyone talking and explore what it means to balance punishment with redemption.

‘AITA for sending our son away after he revealed to his sister’s friends that she has dentures?’

My husband and I have a 14 year old daughter and a 16 year old son. When our daughter was eight, she developed a very rare mouth infection that just absolutely devestated her teeth and gums. She ended up losing all her teeth in both sets, and had to have some corrective work done just so she could have regular dentures. Obviously this was very traumatic for her, and she's still in therapy to help cope to this day.

Our daughter is understandably very self-conscious about this. None of her friends knew about them, in fact nobody besides her doctor and dentist know outside the family, she doesn't want people to know. She's very worried about people finding out, and won't even take her teeth out in front of the rest of us, she's worried someone will see.

Her and her brother had a good relationship until he did what he did last week. He somehow recorded her taking out her teeth without her noticing, and then showed all her friends when they were over. Not only have they all turned on her, but half the school is teasing her nonstop, she even had to change her phone number because dozens of kids were texting her the most vile things imagineable.

I have never been more ashamed of one of my children until that moment, I don't know where we went wrong raising him, but apparently he thought it would be funny. After I kicked out her 'friends' who were mocking her and helped her through a panic attack, I called my father to pick him up, and told him to pack a bag and get the f**k out. He's been staying with my parents two towns over, they didn't know what happened until two days ago.

That came up because driving him to school was becoming a hassle, and they wanted to know what was up. When I explained they were disgusted, but still wanted to know when they could bring him home. I asked them if they'd take care of registering him for school in their town, and they agreed but were shocked. My husband and I talked, and we just cannot have him here.

His sister hates him, we're so ashamed we can't even think of calling him. It sounds awful but I don't think our relationship can recover from this, and maybe this is what he needs. No friends, no family aside from his grandparents, having to start over might just set him right. My parents are willing to keep him until he's 18, but think we're too emotionally charged to be making this decision now.

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Betrayal within a family stings like few other wounds, especially when it involves a vulnerable teen. The son’s decision to expose his sister’s secret wasn’t just a prank—it was a violation of trust. According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned family psychologist, “Trust is built in small moments, but it can be shattered in one act of betrayal” (Gottman Institute). Here, the son’s actions reflect a lapse in empathy, common in teens whose prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control, is still developing.

The parents’ response, while protective, leans extreme. Sending a 16-year-old away risks long-term estrangement. A 2019 study from the Journal of Family Psychology found that harsh parental discipline can deepen teen rebellion rather than correct it (APA). The sister’s trauma, meanwhile, demands immediate support—therapy and a safe space to rebuild confidence. The son’s motives remain unclear, but his age suggests room for growth, not abandonment.

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Broadly, this story highlights the delicate balance of sibling dynamics. Siblings often compete for attention, and unresolved resentment can fuel cruel acts. The parents must address both children’s needs: the daughter’s healing and the son’s accountability. Therapy for all could uncover underlying tensions, like favoritism, as some Redditors speculated.

Dr. Gottman suggests family therapy to rebuild trust through “structured conversations” that foster empathy. Parents should guide the son toward reparative actions, like a sincere apology or community service, to understand his impact. For the daughter, professional support can help her navigate the bullying and reclaim her confidence. Both children need to feel valued to mend this fracture.

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Here’s how people reacted to the post:

The Reddit crew didn’t hold back, serving up a spicy mix of sympathy and shade. Here’s what they had to say:

needtoknowbasis92 − What he did was vile, and he deserves a harsh punishment for what he did to his sister. However, I don't think the punishment issued fits the crime. You can't just throw your son away, and you CAN come back from this. It will take a lot of therapy for all of you, but it can happen. I honestly don't know how to judge this post though...

CakeEatingRabbit − ESH. I love that you have your daughters back and apply serious consequences for your son. What I don't love is that you didn't mention how he reacted to the after math of what he has done and the consequences. I also think it is an overreaction to permantly disown your son and cut him from your life.

He is still you son. Yes, terrible mistake. But still a minor and still your son. You should be working with him and not just be like this. So yes, let him live with his granparents, but work on a way to rebuilt your own (not your daughters) relationship with him. Call. Let him to volunteer work. Something.

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GothPenguin − ESH-His behavior was appalling and he’s absolutely old enough to know how rotten it was but sending him away for years isn’t the way to make this better,

akr_0429 − ESH. Of course he shouldn’t have embarrassed his sister but without more details this is an overreaction. Does he realize what he has done wrong and wants to make amends? You can’t just throw a child out because they made a mistake.

Loserinprogress − Both children need to speak to a therapist immediately. Your son was so wrong in his actions. Why did he do this? You need to get him help immediately. Why would he choose to humiliate your daughter...his own sister this way? Now to your daughter... she will need major support and unconditional love at this time.

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Kids are so cruel! I can only imagine the bullying and torment she must be going through. Switch her schools if necessary. Get her therapy. Of course punish your son. He deserves it. No this is not overly extreme. What he did is inexcusable. He can come home when his sister feels safe around him. Also a 16 year old boy recording a girl, his sister or not is a huge red flag. Get your son help. Nta.

ThinkSkirt8708 − YTA.. He’s your son and he’s a kid. Kids make mistakes. ADULTS make mistakes too.. You’ve effectively disowned your kid instead of just teaching them a lesson. If you continue doing what you’re doing, don’t be surprised if your son keeps up no contact when he’s older and wants nothing to do with you.

Merlin_KilgarrahS565 − From what I've read OP it's going to be ESH. But most importantly, from what i've gleaned from the way you write about your daughter is that you're protective of her, which raises the question, is she your favorite child ? Do you spend more attention on her and more time with her, be there more emotionally for her and support her?

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I'm gonna hazard a guess and say yes because of your reaction. Nuclear destruction of your family, abandoning one kid and throwing him out without care or consideration. No one goes that level if it doesn't involve their favorite.

What your son did was an AH move, no doubt. Kids are little shits but they are kids ! It's up to the parents to guide and teach them but to banish him ? Abandon him to your parents? Why ?. You can't unmake a kid. He needs to go to therapy and so do you.

dibblechibbs − ESH except your daughter. Your son was a s**t, but 16 year olds are shits in general. You should definitely punish him but kicking him out of your house is cruel.

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The_Ghost_Reborn − This is a horrible story. I can completely sympathise with how you feel about your son right now. I hate him myself and he didn't do this to *my* daughter and I never invested a single moment in his upbringing. You must be so deeply disappointed in him.. INFO What did he have to say for himself about this? Other than being upset at the consequences, do you think he's sorry for hurting his sister?

capmanor1755 − YTA. You can't legally or ethically shun or banish a 16 year old. There's a reason the court system for juveniles is different than adult court- it's understood that their brains aren't fully developed. Get counseling for yourself, your daughter and your son. Figure out how to support your daughter as she learns to live with her body. Figure out how to parent your son as he learns about reparations and redemption and rebuilding relationships.

These Redditors rallied for the daughter’s pain but split on the parents’ choice—some called it justice, others overkill. Are they fanning the flames of drama, or do their takes hit home?

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This family’s saga leaves us grappling with tough questions about trust, consequences, and second chances. The daughter’s pain demands support, but does the son’s mistake warrant banishment? Families are messy, and healing requires patience and effort from all sides. Therapy could be the bridge to rebuild what’s broken, but it’s a long road. What would you do if you were caught in this family’s storm? Share your thoughts and experiences below.

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