Dad doesn't want to pay for daughter's dance trip, claims it's just a vacation with her stepdad: 'The trip is about $3K for just my daughter'

María Cetra • Writer

Jun 12, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

Managing finances can be difficult, but it's almost impossible to avoid disagreements if you have to do it with your ex-wife.

In this day and age, a lot of divorced parents believe they can simply agree on splitting their children's bills 50/50 and that way they will avoid any kind of disagreement. Well, that is a lie. There is no way you won't discuss money, especially with them.

In the case of this Reddit story, the dad is reluctant about paying for his daughter's dance trip to Ireland, not because it is expensive or because he does not support her. It's not a money issue, in this case, it seems to be more about not being a part of it, being replaced. According to this man, even though he will only be paying for half the trip for his daughter, he doesn't believe that it is fair, as his ex-wife and new husband are going to go as well.

He then explains that even if he doesn't provide the money, his daughter is not going to be missing out on the experience, but if they divide her costs 50/50, is it fair to not participate monetarily for the trip at all? On the other hand, they do have an agreement where mom is the one in charge of paying for all the extra activities.

The dad does pay $600 a month for child support, as well as $7K extra annually, and her education. But he is also earning $160K a year. This may seem like he has the full means to pay his part, but he is just deciding not to because of some jealousy. He is not paying for his ex-wife or for the stepdad of the child, so is this actually a valid argument to not pay for it?

Some advice he received recommended that the dad check with the dance studio how much exactly the trip costs, so he is sure that he is only paying for his daughter. That way, he can fully support her without paying for something he does not want to. But would this be enough to convince him to pay for it?

WIBTAH for not paying for my daughters trip

via cruzincoyote
via Brittani Burns

A dad and daughter spending time together, representative of the ones in the story.
via cruzincoyote
via cruzincoyote
via sofatutor

A model family looking at a laptop on the table in front of them as the daughter excitedly responds to what they are seeing on the screen.
via cruzincoyote
via cruzincoyote
via cruzincoyote
via cruzincoyote
via cruzincoyote
via cruzincoyote

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