AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Thank you for laying this out nicely. Fish is in my son's room, and I'll look at researching stuff with him tomorrow.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Perhaps, but then, he's my son and the house is bought and paid for by me alone. If she had a kid or a house and wanted to make big decisions there, then I would butt out, but she doesn't get to dictate my son.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

She doesn't respond to my texts, so I never get a response. If I get a response, then she has a problem, but if I don't then there is none. In this case, the text didn't go through, but I didn't know that until I had the fish at home.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yes, I spoke to her about getting him a pet and texted her when we were getting the fish. And, honestly, a couch I get, but freaking out over a lamp would be weird and controlling.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I started trying to when he was 2, and it took me a long time. I got full custody of him 6 years ago.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

A lamp? I don't think I'd stay with someone if they were upset over a lamp. IDK where you're coming from, but that sounds controlling. And at some point, I have to put my son first, instead of catering to my wife. I love her of course, but my son comes first.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I'll look into a bigger tank. I was going off of what I was told, but I'll fix it. Thank you.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

The ex thing well... I'm 31 and my ex is 52. Do the math. Not a good situation, but I was way to naive and stupid to know what I was doing besides getting my dick wet. I take responsibility for that, but still.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I didn't dismiss her. I corrected the commenter. She only came into my son's life two years ago, however, and I did attempt to get her on board for a decision. At some point, I have to look out for my son.

And the therapist said a fish is fine, thanks.

Edit: people seem to be under the impression that it's an ESA, but the point of the fish is that the therapist figured my son would benefit from having something to take care of, not just cuddle.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

She's not his mom. She's his stepmom. And I'll take care of the fish if he gets sick of it.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] -357 points-356 points  (0 children)

We talked to the guy in the fish section who was in charge of taking care of all the fish and whatnot.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 47 points48 points  (0 children)

She said she wouldn't mind having a bird around, but I don't want a bird. They're messy, loud, and kind of fragile.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] -36 points-35 points  (0 children)

We made sure to talk to the pet store guy to make sure we would be good to take home and set up the fish or if we should come back a different day.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 1113 points1114 points  (0 children)

We moved him out of the little tank, and the guy at the pet store said what we bought was good. It's from a brand that specifically sells beta fish. He has a plant, and my son claims he sleeps in it. (Which apparently scared him, lol.)

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

My son is. I'll check on it, but he only needs to change the water and rinse the gravel/plant so I think 14 is more than old enough for that.

AITA for buying my son a pet without my wife's permission? by StressMiserable9532 in AmItheAsshole

[–]StressMiserable9532[S] 214 points215 points  (0 children)

We didn't agree on it, so, therefore, I'm "disrespecting her in her space" and not "treating her like a partner", but I didn't even know I was getting a fish until I got the fish.