AITA for going fishing the day my ex was giving birth?
In a quiet lakeside retreat, a 29-year-old man cast his fishing line with old friends, unaware that his ex, Maria, was giving birth to another man’s child back in town. Their relationship, a casual fling ended 1.5 years ago, left no strings—or so he thought. Maria’s friends, however, saw his absence as a betrayal, bombarding him with messages about her loneliness during the birth. Picture the tension: a guy trying to keep things friendly, now caught in a storm of guilt trips over a baby that’s not his.
His fishing trip, planned before the unexpected early delivery, became a flashpoint for clashing expectations about friendship and responsibility. This Reddit saga dives into the murky waters of past promises, personal boundaries, and the weight of others’ hopes. Was he wrong to prioritize his plans, or are Maria’s friends fishing for drama?
‘AITA for going fishing the day my ex was giving birth?’
A fishing trip shouldn’t reel in family-level obligations, but blurred boundaries can muddy even the clearest intentions. The man’s absence during Maria’s childbirth, though unplanned due to the early delivery, struck a nerve with her friends, who seem to expect him to fill a role he never signed up for. His past support—visits, reassurance—may have fueled Maria’s hope for more, creating a mismatch in expectations. Her friends’ criticism, especially Katie’s, reflects a common dynamic where friends project their own frustrations onto a convenient target.
Friendship after a breakup is tricky. A 2023 study in Personal Relationships found 60% of ex-partners struggle with unclear boundaries post-split. Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship expert, says, “Clear communication about roles prevents assumptions that lead to conflict”. The man could gently clarify his limits with Maria, emphasizing support without overstepping. Blocking her friends’ harassment might also clear the air.
Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:
Reddit’s anglers didn’t hold back, casting sharp takes on Maria’s friends and urging the man to swim away. From warnings about daddy-trap vibes to jabs at the absent baby daddy, here’s what they hooked:
![[Reddit User] - NTA wtf? You’re NOT the father! so why on earth would you be there? She already bullied and harassed you into staying friends with her. And now this?. You should not have given in the first place and just cut contact with her completely. It’s extremely inappropriate she got her friends to harass you. You should ask them why they weren’t there?](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/248366nb-06.png)
![[Reddit User] - You're not the AH. She has other friends that could be there for her, obviously, if they're mad at you, and you have a life.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/248366nb-10.png)
These Reddit takes are as sharp as a fishhook, but do they miss Maria’s perspective? Or is the man’s fishing trip a fair catch?
This birth-day drama shows how fast old ties can tangle new responsibilities. The man’s fishing trip wasn’t meant to snub Maria, but her friends’ outrage suggests deeper expectations he never agreed to meet. Was he right to stick to his plans, or should he have been there? Share your thoughts—have you ever faced pressure to support an ex beyond your comfort zone? How would you navigate this murky friendship?
