AITA for telling a bunch of SAHM that they’re jealous?
A 31-year-old stay-at-home mom, devoted to her non-verbal autistic 5-year-old, steps into a sunny park for a playdate, eager to click with a local moms group. As kids scamper, she opens up about her routine napping while her husband tackles chores, a teamwork twist that keeps their home humming.
Tensions bubble when the other moms, swamped with all the housework, dub her lazy. She claps back, calling them jealous of her shared load, and a fiery spat erupts over husbands and kid duties.
‘AITA for telling a bunch of SAHM that they’re jealous?’
Dr. Ellen Walker, a family psychologist, notes that household chore division varies widely and thrives when couples agree. She praises the OP’s setup—sharing tasks like vacuuming, mopping, and trash with her husband—saying it models teamwork, especially vital with a special-needs child. Walker cautions against judging others, as every home’s rhythm differs.
Parenting expert Dr. Lisa Chen weighs in, supporting chores for a 5-year-old, even one with autism. She explains that simple tasks like cleaning or dressing build independence and structure, key for development. Chen sees the other moms’ critique as misguided, noting each family tailors responsibilities to their needs, not a one-size-fits-all rule.
Relationship therapist Dr. Mark Reynolds tackles the “lazy” label, calling it unfair. He argues the OP’s nap and split duties reflect a practical balance, not sloth, especially with morning cleaning and a school schedule. Reynolds flags the moms’ pushback as possible projection, but warns that “jealous” escalates tensions, souring new bonds.
Dr. Sarah Kline, a social dynamics specialist, views this as a clash of expectations. She suggests SAHMs often face pressure to “do it all,” and the OP’s system challenged that norm, sparking friction. Kline advises empathy over accusations—both sides could learn from each other’s styles to ease the sting of this dust-up.
Heres what people had to say to OP:
Reddit’s crowd rallies strong, mostly landing on “everyone’s messy here.” The crowd sees a playdate turned showdown, with both the mom and her new pals slinging judgments over chores and roles. They lean toward a tie her “jealous” jab and their “lazy” shot canceled out. Live and let live, they say: each house, each rule, no need for a mom war.
This playdate gone wild mixes mom duties, sharp words, and a tangle of feelings, with our SAHM holding firm against a chorus of critics. Reddit calls it a draw, experts cheer her balance but nudge kinder chats, and the drama’s still fresh. Did jealousy or judgment fuel this flare-up? Drop your takes, tales, or tips below what would you do in this mom melee?
