Mom refuses to pay for 6-year-old son's Easter basket after dad claims he can't afford one: ‘It's his fault that he wasn't responsible’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Apr 6, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

Sorry, son, the Easter Bunny is not coming to your Dad's house this year.

Should a parent protect their children from the other parent's mistakes and faults, or should they let them see as soon as possible exactly who they are dealing with?

It takes a while for a kid to recognize their parents' faults for what they are. It usually happens after they are old enough to view different households and see that the way that they do things is different from the way others do. Even then, it's a long way from there to understanding that the reason why home life is so different from theirs is that their parents are not doing a good job at parenting.

Since many, if not most, children these days grow up in two different households, they also have to deal with their parents' differences in parenting and the gaps between one parent and another. Which is exactly the case in the story below for the 6-year-old son whose dad can't afford to buy him an Easter basket.

The dad decided to call Mom and let her know that she will have to come and pick up their son early for the weekend because he can't buy him an Easter basket, and he doesn't want him to feel left out among the other kids in the house (his roommate's kids). The only other option Mom had was to cover for the dad and buy the basket herself. 

Which leads to the dilemma: should she help dad cover up his bad parenting, or should she let their 6-year-old son know exactly who his dad is? Is it her responsibility to keep up the illusion that this man is a good dad, just so that her son doesn't feel bad about the situation? At this moment, Mom thinks Dad should suffer the consequences of his action and admit to their son that he's at fault for the lack of an Easter basket. Then, the sweet boy will be picked up by his devoted Mom and properly celebrate Easter with her.

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  • A little boy playing with a basket of Easter eggs
    via Margaret Jaszowska

    A little boy playing with a basket of Easter eggs.

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

  • Sons father wants me to pay for his Easter Basket?

    My son's dad usually has him on weekends, and now he's asking me to pick him up early on Easter because he doesn't have a basket for him.
    via notlenaaaa
  • He basically said I can either send him money for one or come get my son so he doesn't go without.
    via notlenaaaa
  • I don't want to do either of those things. The thing is I work on Easter and don't want to miss out on time and a half.
    via notlenaaaa
  • Also, our son is 6, and I already plan on making Easter special for him when he gets back Monday.
    via notlenaaaa
  • What bothers me is that there are other kids at his house who will have baskets, (his roommate's kids) and I feel like it's his responsibility as a parent to figure something out even something small and cheap.
    via notlenaaaa
  • It doesn't sit right with me that the solution is either I pay for it or inconvenience myself.
    via notlenaaaa
  • Frankly, I feel like his dad should suffer the consequences. He doesn't have a job but he still pays for his nicotine/beer habit and I feel like it's his fault that he wasnt responsible but I also don't want my son to be sad.
    via notlenaaaa
  • idk what to do grr
    via notlenaaaa
  • A little boy playing with a basket of Easter eggs
    via Alex Gallegos

    A little boy playing with a basket of Easter eggs

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

  • Otherwise-Wall-6950 So he can't afford a basket and wants you to pay for it AND pick him up early? Tell him you're not doing either thing, your son is his responsibility as well. You have to work and it's his weekend. Let him deal with it. I'd make sure he has an extra special basket waiting at home for him.
    via Otherwise-Wall-6950
  • notlenaaaa Original Poster's Reply Oh yeah we have a easter egg hunt planned, as well as a backyard bbq. I'm doing one of those Easter baskets that's made out of a kiddie pool. It's gonna be awesome!
    via notlenaaaa
  • qwertyuiiop145 NTA I would not send money or pick him up early, but I would make sure he has a basket waiting for him when you go get him and make sure your son knows he's got a basket, just not at his dad's place. You can call him and say that the Easter bunny got confused and left his basket with you and get him excited for all the fun stuff he's going to get when he gets back to you.
    via qwertyuiiop145
  • International_Tax631 Can you call your son on Easter and tell him the Easter Bunny came to your house instead? That way he'll have something to look forward to when you see him on Monday. This doesn't let your ex off the hook, but it also doesn't let your son go without. He will put two and two together as he gets older.
    via International_Tax631
  • Otakraft NTA. No, this is on his parenting time and his responsibility. Definitely don't cover for him being a bad father. WAY too many women cover for bad/absent fathers for years and their kids don't realize until much later that the father has always been bad. You have done nothing wrong, this is entirely on him. You're planning an Easter thing for your child on Monday and that's great.
    via Otakraft
  • BGS2204 Buy a basket and tell him the Easter bunny came to your house because he didn't know he would be with his dad. When he comes home give it to him. Dad is just SOL
    via BGS2204
  • Tova42 All these people telling you to give your ex credit for your Easter present can bite my shiny metal behind. My recommendation is tell your ex that he needs to tell the kid that the Easter Bunny messed up and came to your house instead of his and that his basket will be waiting for him at your house and then you can send photos.
    via Tova42
  • [deleted] NTA. I would stick the to plan of having Easter with your son on Monday. Disappointment is rough but it's also a learning experience and it's good for kids to know the truth. I don't think it's actually helpful when one parent tries to hide who the other parent is from the kids. I think that does more damage in the long run.
    via [deleted]
  • No_Apartment_4551 Your ex is the AH - surely to god he can get a few dollars together to get a little egg for his son? What an absolute I think you say to your son in advance "Sweetheart just so you know, the Easter bunny only delivers to your main home, so all your treats will arrive here for you. Would you like me to call you Sunday morning and let you know what he brought for you? Then it'll be here Monday when you get home."
    via No_Apartment_4551
  • Sleepysoupfrog NTA, if he wants parenting time, then he has to parent. He can manage the upset, disappointed child as a consequence of his actions and lack of planning. And yeah, that absolutely s ks for your kiddo. But it's easy enough for you to tell him that 'Oh! The Easter Bunny knows you live here most of the time so that's where he left your basket!' when he gets home. Don't bail him out, OP. It's gonna be a tough lesson for kiddo but then it sounds like there are gonna be a lot of tough l
    via Sleepysoupfrog
  • HopefulComfortable58 You're right that dad should do it. But he isn't going to do you have to think about your son.
    via HopefulComfortable58

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easter kids easter eggs relationships parenting dad Easter Bunny mom basket parents children
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