Woman Debates Cutting Off Addict Ex From Their Baby Following Another Money Request

There’s a moment every parent hopes they never reach—the moment when love means saying no, drawing a line, and choosing safety over guilt. The OP of today's story didn’t start motherhood wanting conflict or courtrooms or boundaries built like walls.

The OP started it believing cooperation was possible, that two imperfect people could still show up for a child they created together. She tried to coparent with her ex to care for their 18-month-old son.

He watched the baby while the OP worked and even had overnights. But then, the OP would pick her baby up with a full, cold diaper, and it must have happened more than once.

After his first overnight at seven months old, OP's son came home with his first diaper rash, but she ignored the warning signs because she wanted peace. Then chaos followed as her ex would show up unannounced, and one day entered her apartment while she was in the bathroom.

When the OP confronted him, the argument exploded, and he threatened to kidnap their baby. At Christmas, he says he has a lot of money and asks what the OP wants him to buy their baby for Christmas.

The OP told him nothing and that he should give her the money to pay her back, but you wouldn't believe the reply she got.

The OP writes...

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He says he has a lot of money

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The final part

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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the AH:

Would I be the AH if I continued to keep my son from seeing his father. My mom gives me grief and says I should let him. And he tells people I keep him from him.

And the comments roll in...

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He could take the child

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Taking him to court

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A court ordered therapy

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In the comments, the OP revealed why she hasn't taken her ex to court for child support and to fight visitation

Mostly because I’m afraid of how he could react. He threatened his ex when she took him to court and harassed her. He used to beat up his ex, he never hit me but he did chase after me with a baseball bat once. I was in the bathroom and he was in the door way. He smashed the sink and it broke the metal bat in half and then he started swinging towards me. His brother ran in and I ran out.So I figured if he was leaving me alone (which he did for most of the time) then I would be able to avoid him possibly showing up to attack me.

The comments continues...

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Bringing up the drug use

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Having no chance at custody

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OP's ex is a deadbeat

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The OP letting her ex back into her life didn’t bring clarity—it confirmed what she already knew. He was high, openly admitted to overdosing on heroin on Christmas Eve, and said he’s still on it while living in a crack house.

He got a $24,000 settlement, chose to support another child, and offered nothing to the OP- red flags. OP's responsibility is to her child’s safety, stability, and future—and that means firm boundaries, not second chances.

And yes, the OP was declared not the AH in the story.