Everyone wants to protect their babies from getting sick, especially during cold and flu season. There is some nasty stuff out there right now that can wreak havoc on an innocent infant. Is it unreasonable to keep a baby away from places or people who might get them sick? No, not at all. Can there be exceptions — especially for the holidays — or would that make them a hypocrite? We wonder…
A person posted in Reddit's AITA forum about a family situation that really has them hot. The original poster has a new nephew whose parents want to protect him from getting sick. Because of this, OP's parents uninvited them and their family to Christmas to keep the baby safe.
OP is calling BS, though, claiming the baby has been to plenty of places and exposed to anything their family might bring over in terms of germs. OP has now decided to skip all future family events. Should OP calm down, or is it justified?
There are three little boys in the family.
OP has a son, Steve, who is 3. Steve has two cousins: Kevin, 2, and Kyle, 6 weeks. Until now, OP assumed that the family would be celebrating Christmas together. That thought was incorrect.
"We were informed we are not invited to Christmas at our parent's home (we are local to our mom and dad) due to Kyle's age and the risk of flu/covid/rsv," OP wrote.
OK, that could be a valid reason. No one wants a sick baby. But then OP's parents said they could go ahead and drop off gifts for the kids the night before.
"Now, I don't see why I should," OP argued. "I have yet to meet my newest nephew."
The baby is hardly a stranger to germs.
OP claims that Kyle has been all over town visiting public places and being exposed to all kinds of viruses. Plus, Kevin attends a huge day care. Those places are inevitable germ farms, and unless Kevin is placed in a protective bubble when he gets home, Kyle is subjected to some yuck from his brother.
OP isn't planning to be irresponsible.
OP is an adult who understands how to take care of a child — OP has a toddler! — and just wants to be with the family but feels like relatives are treating them poorly.
"I'm not suggesting my 4 year old hold the baby at all, or even myself. We have decided that we will not be attending family events in the future. My parents think I am just over reacting. Am I the a–hole for this?" OP wrote.
Redditors had thoughts.
Are OP's family members being a tad hypocritical? Redditors wondered. If the infant really is a man about town, what's the big deal?
"NTA. If they're worried about germs, they have every right to choose to stay home," someone wrote. "You being excluded because of their concerns is absolute garbage. It's also messed up that you're being expected to give gifts while being excluded. Definitely NTA on this one and I think you should both stand your ground and continue to point out how asinine this is."
Yeah, why should OP stay home? Shouldn't the family with the new baby bow out?
"NTA — if they are worried about their kids getting sick, they should stay home, they shouldn't be banning you from going to your own parents home. Don't bother dropping gifts off for anyone. Enjoy your Christmas in your own home," someone else suggested.
Is Christmas about family or gifts?
There needs to be more clarity with OP's family about what the holidays are actually about. They seem to be hung up on gifts, whereas OP wants time spent together.
"It's also messed up that you're being expected to give gifts while being excluded. Definitely NTA on this one and I think you should both stand your ground and continue to point out how asinine this is," one person commented.
"NTA I'd let mum know you'll be too busy to drop gifts off, but if your siblings and all the family want to pop over after the big family do, they can drop presents off for your son," another person wrote.
The kids won't even know the difference, so what's the point?
Redditors feel like the whole gift thing was just an excuse to be selfish. These are babies we're talking about. They only know what day it is when you tell them and still might not get it.
"NTA — especially for the gifts part. The audacity of expecting gifts without an invitation is absurd enough, but especially since these kids are too d— young to even know," one person commented. "Not like their going to be hurt or disappointed … it's about the adults, not the kids. I would have to assume there is some other reason for the revoked invitation."
OP gave a bit of an update.
OP let Reddit know that they talked to their mom, but unsurprisingly, not much has changed.
"Small update — just had a short conversation with mom. I explained my side and how my child is not exposed to these germs they are talking about in a large daycare setting, and mentioned taking the newborn out in public and asked why my kid is the issue here," OP shared. "She said she didn't understand why and she doesn't like to bring up the issues. Avoidance at its best ."
Obviously, OP is hurt. And why not? This situation sucks.
Redditors said to stay home and forget about the gifts.
Redditors were not about to let OP go to their parents' house with gifts. They felt that there was more going on here and that rewarding selfish behavior was wrong. Instead, they want OP to enjoy Christmas with Steve and spoil him.
As far as future events are concerned, Redditors want OP to give it a bit of time and see how things pan out with Christmas.
One person had an excellent bit of advice. "I wouldn't drop gifts off either, might be germs in the packaging."
Solid burn.
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