This Stepmom Tried To Stop Her Stepson From Chewing Ice, And Accidentally Started A Parenting Firestorm

A Redditor recently sparked debate after sharing a family dilemma that started with something surprisingly small: her 11-year-old stepson chewing ice. The OP has been in the boy’s life since he was a toddler and says they have a close, loving relationship built on trust and communication.

While she’s careful to respect his mom’s role, the Redditor often ends up handling day-to-day guidance, school help, and health concerns. She also admits her husband is more hands-off with discipline, which usually leaves her as the one setting boundaries and explaining why they matter.

The issue popped up when she noticed her stepson constantly crunching ice and brushed off her warnings about tooth damage. Concerned it could be a health issue or a harmful habit, she decided to take a more structured approach.

Before TV time one day, she had him read a kid-friendly article about how chewing ice can damage teeth and answer a few questions. She then told him she didn’t want him chewing ice at home and explained that serious dental work can be expensive.

To drive the point home, she said that if ice chewing led to dental damage, he’d have to repay $100 from his savings. Almost immediately, she felt guilty and worried she’d gone too far.

In edits, the Redditor clarified she had no intention of actually taking his money and deeply prioritizes his health and future. After reading comments, she realized the money consequence could make him afraid to speak up about pain, which genuinely alarmed her.

She talked it through with her stepson, reassured him, and shared that he promised to stop chewing ice because he didn’t want to upset her. Now, she’s wondering if her good intentions crossed the line—or if this was just a well-meaning parenting moment that got a little too real.

The issue popped up when she noticed her stepson constantly crunching ice and brushed off her warnings about tooth damage.

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Here’s the original post by Reddit user u/CallieKit.

*Note: I am absolutely aware about possible health issues related to chewing ice. I appreciate the advice but not the admonition that I don't seem to care about the health of my boy. My post stated I have been bugging hubby to have stepson's blood/iron levels checked, etc., and that I am going to follow up on his health. Also, I don't care if YOU do not think chewing ice is a big deal and "everyone does it". I go by medical guidelines and advice.*Background: I (36F) have been with hubby (46M) since my stepson, Jon (11M) was 3 yrs old & have helped raise him. I've always made it perfectly clear that his mom is his mom (to respect her role) but I'm always here for him & love him. Jon comes to me often when he doesn't feel well, has problems at school, has questions about girls, and definitely for all his homework questions/help with school.Hubby is not much of a disciplinarian. If Jon does something blatant, he will step in, but tends to blow off a lot. Ex: he does not notice when Jon makes extra work for grandma (76F) like leaving wet towels on the floor or leaving half eaten candy on the couch that stains. At these times, I'm usually the one to step in & remind Jon that he has to be more considerate of older grandma, & clean up after him or make him do it.At home I have rules like, if you want to play with dogs in the yard & create obstacles courses for them, have fun, but everything needs to be put back away when done. Hubby does not care one way or another if a mess is left behind, but I'm the one that has to clean it up. But hubby is supportive of the rules. I don't just "tell" Jon to do something. I explain why it is necessary & how it could help/hurt him or benefit others. We have a pretty good relationship and there is a lot of love between us.Possible AITA: I have noticed Jon has recently started chewing ice. I mentioned that ice is really harmful to teeth twice. Yesterday, I noticed him chewing & crunching his way through a big glass of ice. I asked, "didn't you hear me when I mentioned that ice can really hurt your teeth?" He brushed me off (tween behavior(?)) saying he likes the taste & then walked off. I let it go because we were at a friend's house, but told hubby we need to look into this possibly being a medical issue or if Jon has just picked up a harmful/bad habit.This morning, I printed an easy-to-read article geared to kids that explains the damage ice causes. Told stepson that before TV time today, he needs to read article & then complete a set of questions at the bottom. He was put out, but complied. After he was done, I asked him if he had a better understanding of the damage ice causes and explained that I do not want him chewing ice in our home, because I cannot allow him to do something I know might hurt him. I cannot control him chewing ice elsewhere (like his mom's house), so it is up to him what he wants to do, but, if he intentionally damages his teeth, would it be fair that we should have to pay for it?He kind of sulked (understandably). I told him dental work gets really expensive and his dad & I work very hard to make sure he has everything he needs, but if he needs dental work because of the ice, he will have to pay us back $100 out of his birthday savings. AITA?For the record, I have no intention of actually using his savings $ for dental work. When we talked, I explained that $100 amount that I put in this month, I would withdraw as "payment". It was a way to drive home the point, but now I feel like a douchepellet about it. Wondering if it was a really A thing to do and if I've scarred my boy for life. [I do not have a relationship with husbands ex. She has been covertly racist (I'm Asian), so I limit interaction. I will ask hubby to follow up with her about looking into other health reasons why child might be chewing ice like iron deficiency, anxiety, etc. I'm concerned]Edit 1: No, mom does not pay for medical expenses. She qualifies for government assistance/health plans, but I added Jon to my insurance because I want him to have the best access to healthcare and not be limited by the government plans. Mom also blows off when Jon feels ill, has random accidents, pains, etc. Jon comes to me and I typically address (usually by comforting him), or insisting hubby take him to doc if I feel it is serious.Edit 2: There have been a lot of comments about responsibility, financial obligations, etc. Early on in my marriage I freaked out that neither parent would take Jon to the Dr. about ear aches. This upset me because I know untreated infections can lead to permanent hearing loss. Mom flipped out and said I was not the "parent" and husband supported ex in that. He did land up taking Jon to the dr and kid did indeed have an infection. Despite the apology from hubby, I have backed off and leave parenting responsibilities to the parents. However, I will absolutely advocate for Jon's health and care and wellbeing, no matter how annoying it makes me seem.Edit 3: This post is not about the $$ or taking money from Jon! I am doing well financially and spend a lot of my $$ on Jon because I know his parents cannot afford certain things that they would have to split (yes, I make a lot more than his father and his mom does not work). I pay for science camps, his insurance (I wanted him on a better plan than the govt plan he was originally on), his karate and riding lessons, etc. His parents also ignored me when I discussed starting a college fund for him, so years ago I started one myself that only I contribute into. If he wants go get advanced degrees when older, he will have the $$ through that account as well as other investment accounts I have for him. He is the sole beneficiary to my will and my money, because this kid is *very* important to me. I have, in effect, made sure my boy will be financially secure for the rest of his life. Note: There seems to be confusion about his "birthday savings" and how he would "pay for his medical bills". He would never have to pay for his medical bills FFS!! The account was started when he was 8 so I could teach him about $$. I feel most adults were never given proper personal finance education, and am impressed with the way some countries have added it into the school curriculum starting in middle school and sometimes younger. The account has money that I add to on a monthly basis, but we call it his "birthday savings" because it started when my family gave him money for his birthday. His father puts in a little money now and then, and we add all the money he gets from hubby's and my family during the year. He understands deposits and withdrawals. He does not understand (yet) the actual value of items, but he knows that, for example, he will need $400 to buy a bike he wants (cost supplemented by us). When he buys something using the account, he proudly takes his debit card, slides it through the machine and signs for it. He checks the bill to make sure it says what it should say. He has taken to finances like a duck to water and I'm extremely proud of him. When he is older, I will teach him about interest, fees, loans, etc. He will grow up having all the financial acumen I can give him. This "paying us back" for damage to his teeth was $100 from that account. It bothers him because he is actively saving for something. Based on the comments, I have accepted that using money as a consequence can be douchey and I am TA. I accept my judgement. However, I want to clarify that no way was the child going to get slapped with a medical bill, or that I begrudge spending my money or my time on him.Edit 5: Yikes this is getting long. (FYI, I've been banned from further comments due to getting feisty with folks I felt were being unnecessarily cruel, and missing the point entirely.) This post opened my eyes that out of concern for losing out on his monthly $100, Jon might not tell me if he is in pain. THIS HAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIED ME!!!! I want to thank the people who brought this to my attention because I definitely do not want to ruin the open communication we currently have. I have since cleared that up with him and after lots of hugs and kisses, he seems to be okay. He told me he loves me and will stop chewing ice if it makes me sad (my sweet boy!!!!)

Let’s see how the Reddit community reacted.

Deleted user

He’s just a child.

peanutbutterblossom

His medical bills are your responsibility.

st4rwom4n

Stop trying to micromanage the poor kid.

____DeeFord

YTA.

corvidcastles

You’re going to give him a fear of the dentist.

ChaoAreTasty

He won’t respect you when he’s older.

OilSeeYouL8er

It’s inappropriate.

ssj4majuub

Stop making false ultimatums.

Jess193

NAH.

personofpaper

Let your husband deal with it.

daughterofervin

Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.

ten_before_six

Perhaps have his iron levels tested.

AlwaysAnotherSide

In the end, the ice wasn’t really the issue—it was about protecting a kid she loves and making sure he felt safe and supported. After reflecting and talking it through, the Redditor adjusted her approach and kept their open, trusting relationship firmly intact.