AITA for having our ill son stay at my parents because we can’t handle his behavior?
Picture a family torn by a 14-year-old’s illness, his sweet nature warped by pain and puberty into lashing out, shattering the peace of his three siblings. Desperate for calm, his parents move him to their parents’ guesthouse, taking turns to stay with him. The home breathes easier, but the son’s behavior worsens, his parents weep with guilt, and a nurse’s harsh words—though reprimanded—sting deep. A therapist backs their choice, yet doubt lingers.
This Reddit saga is a raw ache of love, sacrifice, and impossible choices. Was moving the son a betrayal, or a shield for all? It’s a story that throbs with the weight of illness and the fragile bonds of family.
‘AITA for having our ill son stay at my parents because we can’t handle his behavior?’
This Reddit post lays bare a parents’ struggle to balance one child’s pain with their family’s peace. Here’s their story, unfiltered:
This family crisis is a heart-wrenching case of competing needs under unbearable strain. The son’s illness and pain-driven behavior, compounded by puberty, disrupt his siblings’ well-being, creating a no-win scenario. Moving him to the guesthouse, with parental presence, was a pragmatic attempt to protect all four children, but his worsened behavior signals isolation’s toll. The nurse’s comment, though inappropriate, taps a truth: social support aids recovery, yet the siblings’ safety matters too.
Child psychologist Dr. Ross Greene notes, “Families with a chronically ill child face ‘unsolvable problems’; prioritizing all kids’ needs is key” (Source). A 2023 study in Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that 65% of siblings of ill children report emotional distress from disruptive behaviors (Source). The parents’ guilt is natural, but their therapist’s support validates their choice given limited options.
They could explore respite care or a “buddy” aide to ease the son’s loneliness, as suggested online. “Small connections matter,” Greene advises. Family therapy should continue to mend sibling bonds, and the parents need support to cope with guilt. The grandmother’s doubt reflects care but misses the full strain.
These are the responses from Reddit users:
Reddit poured out takes as heavy as a hospital chart. Here’s what the crowd had to say:
These Reddit opinions are as raw as a family’s pain, but do they miss the son’s perspective in isolation?
This story is a searing mix of love, pain, and desperate choices. The parents’ move gave their home peace but cost their son’s spirit, leaving guilt in its wake. Could aides, outings, or new therapies bridge the gap, or was separation the only path? What would you do with a family torn by one child’s pain? Share your thoughts—have you ever faced a choice where no one wins?
