Single dad of 9-year-old son questions relationship when his girlfriend’s 9-year-old refuses to get along with his son, he goes to childless brother for advice: “End the relationship”

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jul 16, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Hey there, ladies and gentlemen of the internet. Not everyone knows what to do as a single parent, and not everyone has what it takes. I can't imagine the toll and burden of being a single parent. It's a financial stresser, it's logistically hard, and I couldn't imagine the guilt one would feel about their kid having to grow up without another parent. Obviously, people really make it work, and just because someone grows up with two parents doesn't mean their childhood is any better than the person with a single parent. How do they juggle so much at once? Work, and a kid with no one to help them?

In the story below, the protagonist is a single dad with a 9-year-old son. His girlfriend of several years also has a 9-year-old son, but the boys don't get along. They don't like each other, they don't want to hang out, and they make it abundantly clear. The father is in turmoil, as he doesn't know how to mend the relationship. He's left between a rock and a hard place having to choose between his son and his love. Read the full story below. 

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  • 01

    AITA for saying I'd end a relationship if my kid didn't like my partner's kid when my brother asked me what I'd do in his shoes?

    Cheezburger Image 10529697280
    via Vika Glitter from Pexels / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My brother is a single dad with a 9 year old son. My nephew's mom is not in the picture. For the last 3 years my brother has been dating Kayla and for the last two years
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 03
    my brother and Kayla have introduced their son's (her son is also 9) to each other and they spend time as a group.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 04
    The boys do not like each other and my brother has told me that both of them complain and try to get out of spending time together. The first time they met it
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 05
    was at a kids play center and within 10 minutes the boys were playing with different groups of kids. The second time they went to see a movie and Kayla's son
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 06
    moved seats to sit next to his friend. The third time my nephew went to listen to a different story time but in the same library obviously. Other times they brought them to the amusement
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10529697536
    via EpicStockMedia / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    park 20 minutes from my brother's house and they chose to go on different rides to each other and when they went on the same one they chose to be in different rows or karts.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 09
    When they've spent time at each other's houses they do their own thing. When they play games together they want to partner with their parent and not each
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 10
    other and when they were forced to it ended in them fighting and refusing to play. They have attended each other's birthday parties and there were no interactions beyond forced ones.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 11
    My brother and Kayla tried to plan sleepovers and were left with two kids who did not want to hang out with each other. If they can avoid it they won't sit next to or across from each other at meals.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 12
    My brother and Kayla wanted to move in together and get married but the boys are still avoiding each other and not getting along.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 13
    Both say they don't like the other and I'm not sure if reasons were asked or given but neither of them were okay with the idea of the four living together.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 14
    My brother said Kayla wants to try living together and making it work but he's not sure and he's worried he could lose my nephew to the decision eventually or that
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 15
    it will hurt their relationship. He asked me what I'd do and I said I would end a relationship if my kid and their kid could not get along. I said sibling fighting is normal
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 16
    but these boys aren't siblings yet and when there are no good moments or moments where they want to or are okay with being around each other it seems like a recipe for disaster.
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 17
    Our mom told me not to discourage my brother and that things like this can be worked on. She told me when my brother left that I should have just supported him. AITA?
    via u/MusicianAdmirable449
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10529698048
    via portishead1 from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    Old Acanthaceae42... • 7h ago Nta! Truly if he listens to you he might save his relationship with his son! Because another partner can be found but another son?
    via u/Old_Acanthaceae4226
  • 20
    igno... 7h ago • Edited 3h ago NTA. He was asking how you would handle it. You're giving your feelings on the matter AFTER he asked for them.
    via u/ignorantiaxbeatitudo
  • 21
    I don't know if it would help anything at this point, but have they considered family counseling? With the state of their various relationships,
    via u/ignorantiaxbeatitudo
  • 22
    they should go see a professional before making major decisions and changes.
    via u/ignorantiaxbeatitudo

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