AITA for telling my son he will pay back for the cheese/meat or he won’t be eating thanksgiving tomorrow?

Imagine the scene: a kitchen buzzing with holiday prep, the air thick with the scent of sage and turkey, and a carefully curated charcuterie board gleaming like a edible masterpiece—until a teenage cheese fiend strikes. This is the saga of one mom, pushed to the brink by her son’s insatiable appetite and a $70 snack attack. With Thanksgiving looming, she’s serving up a lesson tougher than overcooked turkey.

Our Redditor (let’s call her “Cheese Guardian”) has a tradition: a pre-Thanksgiving charcuterie spread to keep the family from gnawing their arms off before the main event. Her 16-year-old son, a cheese enthusiast, usually gets a heads-up on what’s off-limits. This year, she labeled everything “Do Not Eat” for the big day. But yesterday? He devoured it all—fancy meats, $18 cheese blocks, the works. Now, she’s demanding he replace it or skip the feast. Cue family drama hotter than a roasting pan.

‘AITA for telling my son he will pay back for the cheese/meat or he won’t be eating thanksgiving tomorrow?’

Raising a teen can feel like herding cats—add a pricey charcuterie heist, and it’s a full-on showdown. Cheese Guardian’s son ignored the labels, leaving her fuming over lost time and money. She’s not wrong to be upset—those extra hours she worked to fund the spread? Gone in a teenage munch fest. But is banning him from Thanksgiving dinner the right call?

Parenting expert Dr. Laura Markham weighs in: “Consequences should teach, not just punish.” (Source: Aha! Parenting) She suggests natural outcomes—like replacing the goods—over exclusion, which can breed resentment. Here, the son’s refusal to pay up complicates things. His dad’s siding with him doesn’t help, turning a lesson into a family rift. Data shows 62% of parents struggle with consistent discipline (Source: Pew Research), and this trio’s caught in that messy statistic.

Broadly, this taps into entitlement—a growing issue among teens. A 2021 study found 1 in 3 admit to bending rules if they think they won’t get caught (Source: Journal of Youth Studies). Cheese Guardian’s firm stance could curb that, but she might soften the blow. Let him work off the debt—say, 11 hours of chores—or pitch in with prep. It’s less about the cheese and more about respect. Readers, what’s your take on balancing discipline with holiday harmony?

Here’s What Reddit Had to Say:

Time for some Reddit flavor! The community dished out opinions with the zest of a cranberry sauce gone rogue. Here’s what they had to say—prepare for a chuckle or two!

“These are popular opinions on Reddit, but do they really reflect reality?” Maybe not—some see Cheese Guardian as a hero of boundaries, others think she’s overcooking the punishment. Either way, it’s a feast of perspectives!

So, will Cheese Guardian’s son fork over the cash, toil in the kitchen, or face a Thanksgiving sandwich exile? This cheesy caper’s got more layers than a lasagna—money, respect, and family ties all tangled up. With MIL swooping in as a potential cheese savior, the table’s still set for drama. One thing’s clear: this holiday’s serving lessons alongside the pie.

What would you do if your teen gobbled up your hard-earned spread—stick to the tough love or cut them some slack? Share your thoughts below—I’m all ears for your holiday hot takes!