AITA for not cooking for my wife while cooking for my daughter?
A stay-at-home dad who handles most chores and cooking prepares low-calorie meals to support his gym goals—and packs the same for his young daughter. His wife wants tastier, higher-calorie options, but after trying to cook separately, he found it too time-consuming alongside housework and hobbies.
He suggested she cook her own or take on chores if she wants him to make her preferred food. She calls it unfair since he’s home all day. Now he’s wondering if he’s wrong for drawing the line.
‘AITA for not cooking for my wife while cooking for my daughter?’
The routine worked until preferences clashed:
This highlights classic division-of-labor tension in unequal chore splits. He’s carrying heavy household load (cooking, cleaning, childcare implied) plus flexible work—adding custom meals pushes overload.
Low-calorie family meals aren’t inherently wrong if nutritious and portioned right for a child, but forcing everyone into one strict diet ignores varied needs. Her “unhealthy” requests might just mean flavorful or balanced, not junk.
Compromise is key: joint meal planning for overlap (healthy twists on favorites), or her handling some prep/chores. His offer to cook more if she contributes is fair—partnership means balancing burdens, not one person doing everything.
Neither fully wrong, but communication around expectations (pre-kid plans vs. reality) could prevent resentment. Therapy or chore charts help many couples here.
Check out how the community responded:
Opinions split—some YTA for rigid diet imposition, others NTA for refusing extra unsustainable work, with lots calling for compromise and info.
Many questioned the low-cal meals for daughter and separate cooking math:
![[Reddit User] − YTA Seems like you have this backwards … the goal should be cooking foods your family will enjoy & then control your meals to meet your “goals...](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/wp-editor-1767864407115-7.webp)
Others defended him and suggested teamwork:
![[Reddit User] − Why don't you two sit down and do some meal planning together and see if the circles in the Venn diagram of your dietary preferences intersect at...](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/wp-editor-1767864385119-4.webp)
![[Reddit User] − Are you all insane? I’m not taking to OP but with this people in the comments. This guy is doing all the chores while working. The kid...](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/wp-editor-1767864386010-5.webp)
Meal prep clashes reveal bigger chore and preference imbalances—his load is heavy, but family meals usually prioritize shared enjoyment over one person’s strict diet.
Debate rages, but compromise (joint planning, her helping chores) seems the clear path. Would you adjust your cooking for family tastes, or expect them to adapt?
