Partner Promises To Clean House If Wife Lets Their 9 Y.O. Watch Horror Movie, Bribe Hilariously Backfires
“A deal is a deal.”
A 28-year-old woman refused to let their 9-year-old watch a horror movie, and it sounds reasonable until her partner tried to “solve” it with a deal. The bribe was simple: let them go, and he’d clean the house.
They even shook on it, and OP agreed on one condition: if the kid got scared, they were leaving. Sure enough, the movie did what horror movies do, the child got freaked out, and they had to bail mid-night. Then came the part where the partner suddenly remembered he was upset, because OP reminded him about the cleaning deal.
Now he’s acting like OP is the villain for holding him to a handshake that happened during movie night.
Let’s dig into the details
Reddit.comOP’s partner wanted to take their son to watch a scary movie, which she refused. However, her partner promised to clean the house if she allowed them to go, so she agreed.
Reddit.comThis tale of a family movie night highlights the complexities of bargaining within family dynamics. The humor in the partner's attempt to bribe his wife with the promise to clean house reflects a common parental strategy, yet it underscores how easily such negotiations can spiral out of control. When parents make deals, especially regarding sensitive matters like movie choices, the potential for misunderstanding is significant. In this case, the partner's expectations were not clearly communicated, leading to a comical yet revealing situation that could strain the parent-child relationship instead of strengthening it. This story serves as a reminder that while negotiations can be tempting, they require clarity to avoid backfiring in unexpected ways.
OP hinted that if their child got scared watching the movie, they would leave, to which they agreed and shook on it. A little while into the movie, they had to leave because the kid got scared.
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OP’s partner wants her to clean the house, but she reminds him of their deal. This made him upset and hinted that they did not watch the movie.
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The whole plan started with that “movie for chores” promise, right after OP said no to the horror request.
When parents establish conditions for rewards, it can lead to children testing boundaries, which may create unintentional power struggles.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for parents to maintain authority while fostering cooperation.
OP wants to know if she did wrong for not wanting to clean the house.
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Check out the highest upvoted comments from the Reddit community
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The deal got tested fast when the 9-year-old got scared and they had to leave the movie anyway.
When parents and children discuss expectations openly, it reduces the likelihood of conflict arising from unmet conditions.
Encouraging an environment where children feel safe to express their thoughts can lead to more productive family interactions.
“He needs to get those rubber gloves on & put some elbow grease in.”
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“Remind him to lift with his knees when he needs to clean under anything.”
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This approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility in children, reducing resistance.
By involving children in the process, parents can create a more harmonious family dynamic.
“He made the deal and he lost; he needs to man up and take the loss like a good sport.”
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“Parents need to be realistic about what their kids can handle content-wise, and it sounds like your partner selfishly ignored that.”
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After the kid was no longer watching, OP brought up the shook-on agreement, and her partner did not take it well.
Redditors agreed that OP was definitely NTA. It was never about finishing the movie.
The community was a bit concerned that the partner couldn’t grasp the concept of sticking to his word, especially when it involved genuine commitments. Well, he’d better prepare those brooms and mop buckets because Reddit has decided.
Do you agree with the commenters? Share your thoughts with us.
“Time to pay up, buddy! Also, his word is not any good if he doesn't keep it.”
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“You fulfilled your end of the deal. There were no exceptions that said he doesn't have to clean if the kid got scared.”
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Now the argument is basically, “You said you’d clean,” versus “I thought you’d drop it,” and OP wants to know if she’s wrong.
Engaging in bargaining can lead to unintended consequences if not managed carefully.
Recognizing this balance is key in fostering healthy family relationships.
“He's just pissed that his mouth wrote a check that his a** couldn't cash, and he's actually having to follow through with the consequence of losing the bet.”
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In this amusing tale of family movie night, the attempt to negotiate a horror movie viewing for a 9-year-old reveals the complexities of family dynamics. The bribe of cleaning the house illustrates how well-intentioned bargains can backfire, especially when the stakes involve a child's fears and parental promises. The humorous fallout from this particular negotiation highlights the importance of understanding each other's perspectives and the need for regular discussions to ensure that everyone feels heard and supported. Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder that even in the face of a spooky movie, fostering a cooperative family environment is key to maintaining harmony.
Encouraging flexibility in agreements can also help accommodate changing needs within the family.
Such practices can enhance communication and ensure everyone’s needs are being met.
Nobody wants to work for free, especially when the movie night ended exactly like the deal predicted.
For another family bargaining disaster, read how friends upgraded to luxury on vacation without consulting me.
