AITA for being inappropriate with my children?

In a quiet home filled with the echoes of loss, a widowed father of three navigates the rough waters of single parenting after his wife’s passing. From sharing a bed during their darkest days to supporting his transgender son’s love for his hand-me-down hoodies, this dad’s choices have drawn raised eyebrows from other parents. What began as practical survival—cramming into one bed, sharing clothes—morphed into a bond of love and acceptance, especially when his 18-year-old son chose to wear Dad’s jeans to express his identity.

Now, as his son heads to university, the whispers of “inappropriate” and “unhygienic” from fellow parents sting more than ever, shaking this father’s confidence. This heartfelt tale of grief, resilience, and a father-son connection pulls us into the messy beauty of family and the courage to ignore the noise. Was he wrong to let his son raid his closet, or is this just love in action?

‘AITA for being inappropriate with my children?’

Parenting through loss is a marathon of tough choices, and this father’s journey shows both grit and grace. Sharing a bed during financial or emotional hardship is common—40% of single parents co-sleep at some point, per a 2022 study .

The clothing issue, however, is where judgment lingers. The son’s choice to wear his father’s clothes, even after coming out as transgender, reflects a deep emotional tie, not hygiene issues. Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a gender identity specialist, says, “Clothing can be a powerful tool for transgender youth to affirm identity, often tied to trusted figures like parents” .

The critics’ focus on “fit” or “hygiene” smells of nitpicking, possibly masking discomfort with the son’s trans identity or the father’s unconventional parenting. The father’s support—offering to shop in the men’s section while respecting his son’s preference—shows unconditional love. His only misstep might be internalizing the criticism, as ignoring it worked before.

Dr. Ehrensaft suggests reinforcing the son’s autonomy while gently encouraging his own style, perhaps by buying matching clothes, as a Redditor proposed. The father could seek supportive parent groups, especially for those raising LGBTQ+ kids, to counter judgmental peers. Therapy might help him shake off doubt, affirming his instincts as a loving dad.

Check out how the community responded:

The Reddit crew dove into this family saga like it was a warm hug, showering the dad with love and telling the naysayers to buzz off. It’s like a group chat where everyone’s cheering for Team Dad-and-Son. Here’s the unfiltered vibe from the crowd:

Redditors rallied behind the dad’s heart-first parenting, slamming the critics as nosy and urging him to keep supporting his son’s style. Some saw transphobia in the complaints, others hyped the father-son bond. Do these takes nail the truth, or just amplify the cheers? One thing’s clear: this clothing clash has everyone rooting for love.

This father’s story is a testament to love over judgment, from shared beds to shared shirts. His support for his trans son shines, but the sting of criticism shows how deeply words can cut. Reddit’s got his back, but the real win is his family’s bond. Have you ever faced parenting judgment that hit hard? What would you do in this dad’s shoes? Share your thoughts below!