Am I the Bad Guy for Not Letting My Daughter Have Ice Cream for Dinner?

AITA for refusing to let my daughter have ice cream for dinner, sparking a debate on parenting styles and healthy eating habits?

Davy

Published in Interesting
August 9, 2025

Am I the Bad Guy for Not Letting My Daughter Have Ice Cream for Dinner?

Are you the antagonist or the hero in your child's eyes when it comes to food rules? The debate over balancing healthy eating habits and allowing treats for kids is a common one.

In a recent Reddit thread, a mother shared her dilemma about denying her daughter's request for ice cream for dinner. The mother's firm stance on nutritious meals clashed with her daughter's desire for a sweet treat, leading to a standoff that left the child going to bed hungry.

Some Redditors support the mother, emphasizing the importance of instilling healthy eating habits early on. They commend her for standing her ground and not giving in to the child's demands for indulgent food choices.

Others take a more lenient approach, believing that occasional treats are essential for kids to enjoy their childhood without feeling restricted. The comments reflect a spectrum of opinions on parenting styles and the balance between enforcing rules and allowing flexibility in food choices for children.

Where do you stand on this debate? Share your thoughts and vote on whether the mother is in the wrong (YTA - You're the antagonist) or right (NTA - Not the antagonist) in this situation.

Join the discussion and weigh in on the delicate balance between promoting healthy eating habits and letting kids indulge in treats.

Original Post

I (37F) have always been pretty strict about my 8-year-old daughter's diet. I believe in teaching her healthy eating habits from a young age.

So, when she asked for ice cream for dinner one night, I naturally said no. She got really upset and said that all her friends get to eat whatever they want at home.

I explained to her the importance of balanced meals, but she threw a tantrum. After she calmed down, I made her a nutritious dinner, but she refused to eat it, claiming she wasn't hungry.

I put my foot down and told her that if she didn't want to eat what I made, then she wouldn't be having anything else. She went to bed hungry that night.

The next morning, she was still upset with me, and my husband thinks I was too harsh. He believes we should give her a little more freedom with food choices.

I feel like I'm just trying to be a responsible parent, but now I'm starting to doubt myself. So, AITA?