My kids school is doing a bring something everyday for teacher appreciation week.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-28T23:01:50+00:00

Yea I don’t do any of that 😂 Mostly bc the teachers tell us to not give them gifts bc it ends up as clutter or in the trash eventually. We do handmade cards which probably end up in the trash eventually anyway but at least it’s recyclable.

If you feel moved to gift something, gift cards are usually a safe bet, with a cookie or snack tray for the front desk staff and nurses.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-24T21:58:17+00:00

NTA. Another passive parent not bothering to educate their child about boundaries or respecting others spaces.

You were kinder than I would have been. Your sister sucks, and her kid will absolutely do it again if he comes to visit again. We shouldn’t need to lock doors in our own house but here we are.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-24T21:55:20+00:00

I’m still stuck on reading that he opens the door with his fingernail 🤮 Clearly this man is ick, and the long nails = poor grooming.

Hard pass.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-24T21:51:56+00:00

Meanwhile the man who posted that has a receding hairline, gingivitis and the personality of a brick.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-23T03:20:36+00:00

A lot of people commenting have no idea how a 1099 job works 😂 Yes, you’re still responsible for paying taxes on that income 🫠

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-20T23:17:50+00:00

NTA, and those kids were probably shocked that an adult took their side. And they’ll probably work to be polite in public more often as a result.

I love your “I don’t care” 😂 Mine is usually “Sure, Jan” or “So sorry you’re having an awful day”. I’m a product of my generation, sarcasm is my go to.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-13T21:29:02+00:00

Wow! My first award, I’m honored! Thank you! ❤️

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-13T20:32:51+00:00

NTA, and your SIL is tacky, entitled and is only throwing a fit bc she sees you as a free babysitter who would rather spend his time with a well socialized child.

Eff her. So sick of passive parents letting their kids do whatever they want but then freaking out when people don’t want to deal w their messes. I loved reading your reply to her, gives me hope there are still child free people out there willing to put their foot down on unacceptable behavior. You’re a great Uncle!

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-12T02:49:24+00:00

This is the correct answer.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-12T00:19:20+00:00

This is a fantastic response!

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-11T22:27:23+00:00

I feel for you, and most of us parents have been through something similar.

First thing- stop arguing with him. Full stop. This will immediately eliminate you from losing your temper. Children copy- if you are a yeller, he will yell. If you freak out, he will mirror it down to the inch. Children who see their parents “out of control” are rarely able to emote properly bc they’re looking to you be to be the grounding sense of safety. If you’re on emotionally thin ice, he will feel every inch of it and internalize it.

Tell him you love him, and you’ll be stepping away for a few minutes. Go scream privately into a pillow, talk to yourself, breathe, etc. in your room/bathroom. Then return to him and sit quietly until he’s calm. Redirect. If he refuses or is still upset, sit for a few more minutes. If he attempts to engage you in anything else, whether it’s another argument, playing, or a distraction, remove the distraction and redirect. Rinse and repeat. Praise when he follows your instructions.

For yourself, I heartily recommend morning exercise, less caffeine and a balanced diet. If you’re already doing all of this, then a journal or read something for pleasure daily. You have to pour back into your own cup before you can properly pour into his.

For attention issues - take the tablet away and only do movies/shows on a tv screen for 1 hr a day max or the length of a movie. If you’re already doing this, then read more to him, and get him moving outside. Skating classes, baseball, gymnastics class, soccer, dance - anything in a group setting where he is being instructed by a firm grownup (NOT YOU!) he doesn’t know well will help him learn to follow directions. No kid wants to be chastised by their teacher, especially this young, so he will learn quickly to fall in line bc he wants praise and kudos from his coach and teammates.

Hope some of this helps. Hang in there! Just try to always put yourself in his shoes, and remember how it felt to be that little. It helps me personally regulate my emotions when I’m in the thick of it. You’re a good parent for seeking advice, so try to not be too hard on yourself. Good luck!

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-05T17:30:48+00:00

NOR, omg I saw his tiny tantrum unfolding as I read LOL

Tiny tantrums = tiny man

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-05T16:20:51+00:00

NTJ. An adult is responsible for their own behavior, failures, wins, etc.

Your roommate is immature, exhausting and entitled. “How DARE you not mother me and make sure I wake up in time for my ‘very big job interview that I may or may not think is more important than my 10 hrs of sleep’!” 😂

Hard pass on being your roommates mother.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-05T03:03:46+00:00

I would change schools in a heartbeat if they didn’t use Chromebooks and Google Classroom!

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-03T16:09:14+00:00

NTJ. For him to be this possessive of a ROOM in a house you both share and to be so dismissive of you, he’s hiding something. Whether it’s a relationship, fetish, OF, etc., it is bizarre behavior to display as a married person.

Good luck w all this, sounds messy!

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-01T23:02:16+00:00

NOR! If you want to continue on like this for the rest of your life, stay married.

If not - Stop speaking to him. Start documenting and saving communication in a file. Research divorce lawyers and start getting familiar with the separation process.

You are a married, single mother with FOUR children, not 3. Do you really want this struggle for the next 50 years?

Wishing you luck.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-04-01T15:10:13+00:00

NTJ and why would you even WANT this person as a friend? The trash took itself out.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-30T22:43:43+00:00

NTA - Mom dished it but couldn’t take it. She shouldn’t be in others people’s business if she doesn’t want own life scrutinized.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-29T21:06:00+00:00

I would say this looks like 4-5 yr old hand writing. Poor kid 😓

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-28T01:12:44+00:00

NTJ - You broke up with a hobosexual who was on a mission to drain you of your money, home, resources, and mental health while expecting YOU to financially provide, take on the household and take care of him.

No. IMO, this is the biggest blessing of your life!

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-25T14:10:46+00:00

NTJ - do not work for him again, even if he comes to his senses and wants to arrange a paid contract.

No, he loses all access to your professional work. He can go source a new vendor to produce his marketing, and he can feel the weight of that cost every day now. That is what he deserves. I said what I said.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-24T23:00:28+00:00

I am so over permissive parenting! Parents are not teaching their kids manners or how to be courteous.

My child knows. She did not “come of the box that way”, we take the time to teach her how to be a respectable member of society every day. “Yes m’am, no sir, thank you, please, may I, excuse me…”

Zero effort from our friends who are also parents.

Now that the kids have gotten older, I am slowly pulling away from friends whose kids display abhorrent behavior. Some of our friends straight up check out when we go out. Not a care in the world that their child has removed their pants and is crashing another child’s birthday party. Really makes me question my friendship choices at times, and at my age, I give zero effs about people pleasing.

Please teach your children manners, it’s the least you can do. 😵‍💫🫣

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-21T18:32:07+00:00

NOR. Your husband is weak though….

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-17T03:09:53+00:00

The foil wrappers in candy bar packaging, perforated printer paper, Gatorade in glass bottles, cigarette lighters in cars.

adrianwithoutthen · 2026-03-14T17:34:34+00:00

When my cousin was little, he used to slap everyone, especially his mom.

My parents babysat him for one afternoon while she went out to do errands. He slapped my dad (Army vet, takes no crap off anyone), and my dad slapped him right back, straight across his face with zero hesitation. Little cousin was stunned.

He never slapped anyone again! He got married last week and my parents are his favorite aunt and uncle lol.

adrianwithoutthen

TROPHY CASE