Mother Turned Up Five Hours Late To Pick Up Her Son From A Birthday Party, And It Didn't Go Down Well With The Host

Being a parent is no easy task. Therefore, having a good support network of other parents is essential.

It's always helpful to have others to turn to for advice and guidance, not to mention having plenty of people around to babysit.

However, maintaining such relationships isn't always easy. Reddit user u/emu_party7894 knows firsthand that some fellow parents can be more of a hindrance than a help.

The Redditor shared her story on the AITA (Am I The A**Hole?) subreddit and asked the community if she was wrong for cutting a careless parent out of her circle. The woman explained that she hosted a birthday party for her 10-year-old son and had always invited his friend James to previous parties.

James was perfectly well-behaved; however, his mother was a different story. The OP recalled that when James attended her son's last birthday, the invitations specifically stated that all children needed to be picked up by 11 AM the following day.

The following day, every child had been collected by the specified time—except for James. At first, our OP assumed his mother was just running a little late, so she wasn't too concerned.

At 11:30, the Redditor texted James' mother to remind her that she needed to collect her son, as they had plans to visit with family and needed to leave. James' mother replied that she was on her way.

However, by 12:30, poor James was still waiting to be picked up. So, our OP contacted James' mother once again.

The woman said she was out to lunch and would pick up her son "as soon as possible." This went on all afternoon until 4 PM, when the OP threatened to call the police if the woman didn't collect her child.

Lo and behold, the woman finally turned up to pick James up. But by that stage, the damage was done.

Understandably, the Redditor decided not to invite James to her son's birthday parties again because of his mother's behavior. James' mother was not impressed when she found out that her son was no longer invited to his friend's parties.

The woman wanted to know why her son was being excluded. So, our OP told her the truth—that her son was left off the guest list because of her irresponsible behavior. James' mother was not happy and consequently blocked our OP from all social media.

The Redditor wanted to know if she had done the right thing by telling the truth. And, as always, people had a lot to say.

The Redditor asked the community if she was wrong for cutting a careless parent out of her circle.

Emran Kassim

The OP said she had decided to throw her son a superhero slumber party for his 10th birthday.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

The woman explained that she had always invited her son's friend James to previous parties.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

James was perfectly well-behaved; however, his mother was a different story.

The OP recalled that when James attended her son's last birthday, the invitations specifically stated that all children needed to be picked up by 11 AM the following day.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

The following day, every child had been collected by the specified time—except for James.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

By 12:30, poor James was still waiting to be picked up.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

The woman said she was out to lunch and would pick up her son "as soon as possible."

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

This went on all afternoon until 4 PM, when the OP threatened to call the police if the woman didn't collect her child.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

The woman finally turned up to pick James up. But by that stage, the damage was done.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

Understandably, the Redditor decided not to invite James to her son's birthday parties again because of his mother's behavior.

James' mother was not impressed when she found out that her son was no longer invited to his friend's parties.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

The woman wanted to know why her son was being excluded. So, our OP told her the truth!

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

James' mother was not happy and consequently blocked our OP from all social media.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

People questioned whether the mother might be abusive, but our OP said she doesn't think so.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

She explained that James' father often drops off and picks up the children on time.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

However, several other parents have had the same issues with the woman.

Reddit/u/emu_party7894

Here's how people reacted.

"No doubt other parents feel the same way."

Reddit/u/KateBeckinsale_PM_me

"I feel sorry for her kid."

Reddit/u/deleted

She was "enjoying her day minus James."

Reddit/u/trilliumsummer

"You can't be expected to deal with that kind of nonsense."

Reddit/u/Weskit

She "wanted a free babysitter."

Reddit/u/BoredAgain0410

NTA!

Reddit/u/Winter_Choice_9632

What's your take on this one? Do you think our OP was wrong for cutting James' mother off and telling her the truth?

It's a shame that James has to miss out on fun things because of his mother's behavior. But it's certainly understandable that our OP wouldn't want to deal with the woman again.

Have you ever had to deal with an irresponsible parent? We'd love to hear your stories in the comment section.