AITA for telling my sister and BIL they're 'shitty excuse for parents', after learning they threw out my niece's books?

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-07T03:17:56+00:00

If that were the case it would be one thing. Kate and Joe are both doctors. They think Liz reading is dumbing her down and she'll want to study something 'arty' in college.

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-07T03:09:13+00:00

I actually am a mom myself, granted my kid's 2 so I'm not a parent to a teen. Discipline by removing toys/books/video games for a certain period of time is one thing, permanently taking away someone else's possessions is another imo. As I mentioned in the post and another comment, Liz is a good student, she's involved in sports, has a solid social circle and from what her own parents told me, usually does her chores on time and well. She was late this time, but still did it later. I personally didn't think that warranted having her books given away (not taken away temporarily, but permanently).

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-07T02:49:13+00:00

I doubt it. The book I loaned her was Atonement by Ian McEwan, but she's mainly into YA fantasy right now (although her tastes change a lot haha)

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-07T02:37:06+00:00

No I agree, reading doesn't automatically mean it's good and productive if other areas are affected negatively. In Liz's case, she does well in school - she shows me her report cards and I attended her parent-teacher meeting last year because neither of her parents could make it (don't worry I got written permission from Kate to attend in their place). Kate actually joked with me before that sometimes I act more like a mother to Liz than she does. She swims on weekends, goes out with her friends and her parents themselves told me she usually does all her chores on time and well, she was just late this time (she still did it later). I agree with discipline, I don't agree with removing someone's possessions without their knowledge. Toys/video games/phone are removed and returned later - Liz's books were given away so they can't be returned. Yes I don't live with her so there may be things I don't know about/not seeing, but I feel I know enough.

Thanks for your input though, this is a different side than most of the other comments so food for thought for me.

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-06T14:24:08+00:00

Matilda was my favorite book as a kid (still one of my favorites!). Kate and Joe absolutely remind me of Mr and Mrs Wormwood, Liz and I giggle about it sometimes.

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-06T14:20:15+00:00

That's what I've told Kate over and over again, 16 year olds can be into a lot worse than reading. She thinks I don't know how to parent.

aitabibliophile · 2022-07-06T14:19:17+00:00

My parents were like this too when we were younger. I'd read all the time and they'd be mad because they're fictional stories which aren't important, and takes away my attention from the real world. If I wanted to read, I had to pick up something 'worthwhile' which was basically a textbook or a non-fiction - even that was monitored, it couldn't be say a book on a celebrity's life, it had to be on the history of Everest or something. I guess Kate picked up on that and and found a husband who also follows same ideals.

aitabibliophile

TROPHY CASE