Mother draws backlash for telling her 15-year-old son that he couldn't take his stepmother to his mother-son football team event: 'She's not his mom, nor did she have the respect to call/text me and ask how I felt about it'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Sep 18, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Family dynamics can get really difficult to navigate. Both when members of the blended family are and aren't getting along.

It can be difficult, as a parent, to see your kids developing a relationship with your ex's new partner, but at the end of the day, a part of you should just be glad that another adult in this crazy world loves and is looking after your kid. Right?

When this mother learned that her 15-year-old son's football team was hosting a mother-son event, she was definitely planning to attend. She was surprised to learn, though, that her ex-husband's wife, her son's stepmother, was also planning to attend.

This, understandably, caused all sorts of conflicting emotions to bubble to the surface; that woman was not her son's mother… she was. 

Still, it was her son's event, as many were quick to point out to the mother, and the boy had apparently invited both his mother and stepmother to attend. So, regardless of what her feelings were, it stood to reason that this decision was not hers to make, and the best thing she could do was learn to accept it. 

And that's what she did.

Showing an amazing amount of self-awareness, which is seldom seen anywhere these days, the mother returned to share that she had reflected and realized that, as it was her son's event and not her own, and that, despite her feelings, she would be stepping back. 

Great job, Mom. 

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  • So my 15 year old son has a mother and son dinner event with his football team. I'm obviously planning to go as it'd be nice. bonding time and well..im his mother. Today, my son told me that my ex's wife was planning to go but she didnt say a word to me about it. In all honesty, I dont want her to go.
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • Cheezburger Image 10555754752
    via Some Tale

    The image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Yes, shes been in my son's life the passed like 5 years or so but shes not his mom nor did she have the respect to call/text me and ask how I felt about it. Would I be TA if I politely told her I didn't want her to go? Im just really conflicted.
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • Edit: Thank you for your comments!! You made me realize that it's not really my event, that its my son's so he should decide. He said he'd like us both to go which is perfectly fine with me. Im human and my feelings clouded my judgement. I actually really appreciate Reddit for this. Sometimes you just cant see the entire picture. Thanks guys!
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a h le: I want to tell my son's step mother she can't go to the mother and son dinner event. I might be the AH because she is his step mother and both are allowed to go.
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • Riddell
    via rileyhphotos

    The image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Sioux-me I see your edit and I just want to say good for you. You put your son first. You're a good mom.
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • No-Assignment5538 YTA. This is going to be really really hard for you: You are not the one who gets to make this choice. It is about what your son wants. Does he want you there? her? both of you? IF your son wants her there, you need to respect that.
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • keesouth Do whatever your son wants to do. She can come to as many events she wants to but she'll never take your place. Always remember your kid only benefits when more people love him.
    via Little_Entrance_8679
  • New_Beach1011. This is your son's event. It depends how he feels about it. Who does he want there? How many can go? I don't think you get the final say when he has two maternal figures in his life. YTA
    via Little_Entrance_8679

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Babies family dynamics teens family drama stepmother aita AITAH infant kids teenagers blended family siblings stepchild moms family feud parenting family pregnant reddit thread parent raising kids Parenting Fail parents children
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