Should I Exclude My Brothers Cat From Our Family Turtle Photo Shoot? | Reddit Dilemma

A 27-year-old woman is about to learn that family traditions are basically living organisms, they get fed, they get protected, and everyone gets weird when someone tries to change them. Her family has an annual turtle photo shoot, and yes, it is silly, but it is also the kind of silly that turns into a memory factory.

Then her brother, 30, adopted a super affectionate cat that treats the photo session like a personal invitation to chaos. During the shoot, the cat kept photobombing, jumping into the scene, and knocking over the props, even after the OP and others asked him to keep it away. Her brother brushed it off as “overreacting,” and suddenly the normally fun gathering turned into a full-on family standoff.

Now the OP is stuck wondering if excluding the cat next year will fix the tradition, or just blow up her relationship with her brother.

Original Post

I (27F) come from a family that adores pets. We have a family tradition where we do an annual photo s***t with our pet turtles; it's silly but special to us.

Recently, my brother (30M) adopted a new cat that's extremely affectionate and loves to photobomb. When we tried to take our turtle pictures, his cat kept jumping in, knocking over props, and causing chaos.

Despite multiple requests to keep the cat away during the s***t, my brother refused and said we were overreacting. This led to tensions during our normally fun family gathering, and the photos didn't turn out how we envisioned.

Now, my family is divided - some feel I should have been more understanding of my brother's attachment to his new pet, while others agree that our annual tradition shouldn't be disrupted. So, Reddit, WIBTA if I insist on excluding my brother's cat from next year's turtle photo s***t, even if it upsets him?

Really need outside perspective.

Family Dynamics at Play

This situation highlights the often-unspoken tensions in family dynamics. The OP's desire to protect their turtle photo tradition isn’t just about the picture itself; it’s about maintaining a sense of normalcy and shared history. When a new pet disrupts that, it can feel like a challenge to the family’s identity. The brother's cat, while adorable and affectionate, represents a change that some family members might not be ready to embrace.

It's common for family traditions to evolve, but when they do, it can stir up feelings of loss or resentment among those who cherish the way things used to be. In this case, the OP’s dilemma about excluding the cat feels symbolic of a larger struggle: balancing love for family with the desire to preserve cherished memories.

Comment from u/gumdrop_queen99

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The turtle photo shoot was supposed to be the one day everyone could show up, laugh, and pose, but the brother’s cat turned it into a moving obstacle course.

Pet Politics and the Photo Shoot

What’s fascinating here is the way the Reddit community responded to the OP's predicament.

Comment from u/crazy_cat_lady13

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Comment from u/avid_knitter77

After the cat kept jumping in and knocking over props, the OP’s repeated requests got steamrolled by her brother’s “you’re overreacting” line.

This is similar to the AITA where someone banned their brother over a pet hedgehog breaking cabin rules.

A Tradition Worth Preserving

The OP’s request to exclude the cat from the annual photo shoot is more than just a logistical issue; it raises questions about what traditions mean to people. For some, these annual photo sessions are a way to bond, reminisce, and create lasting memories. The chaos brought by the brother's cat could undermine that purpose, leading to frustration and disappointment.

However, the OP’s position could also be seen as exclusionary. It raises the question of whether family traditions should evolve to include new members—human or animal. Navigating this balance is a delicate dance that many families know all too well, making the dilemma relatable to a broad audience.

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That’s when the family split into two camps, the ones who think the cat should be accommodated, and the ones who want the turtle tradition protected at all costs.

Finding Common Ground

This story strikes a chord because it embodies a common struggle in family life: the need for compromise. The OP’s focus on preserving a tradition clashing with the brother’s attachment to his cat creates a relatable impasse. Many families have faced similar situations where long-held customs are challenged by new dynamics, whether it’s through new pets, significant others, or even children.

What makes this discussion rich is the potential for reconciliation. Instead of completely excluding the cat, could they find a way to incorporate it without losing the essence of their beloved photo shoot? This could open up conversations about adaptability, acceptance, and the evolving nature of family traditions.

Comment from u/movie_buff_girl

Next year’s shoot is hanging in the balance, because if the OP bans the cat, she might finally get her photos back, but she could also set her brother off again.

What would you do in this situation? Share your opinion in the comments.

Why This Story Matters

This Reddit dilemma underscores the complexities of family traditions and the emotional weight they carry. The OP’s struggle to preserve a cherished annual photo shoot while navigating the inclusion of a new family member is something many can relate to. It raises important questions about how families adapt to change and what it means to truly include everyone in shared experiences. As readers, how do you think the OP should handle this situation? Should family traditions be set in stone, or is it time to embrace new members and redefine what those traditions look like?

What It Comes Down To

This story really highlights the tug-of-war between tradition and change within families. The original poster's commitment to the turtle photo shoot speaks to a desire to maintain family continuity and fond memories, while her brother’s attachment to his cat introduces a new dynamic that some family members might not be ready to accept. It's interesting how the brother views the cat as a part of the family, while others see it as a disruption, illustrating a common struggle of balancing inclusion with the preservation of cherished customs. Ultimately, this scenario opens up a conversation about adaptability and what it truly means to be a family in the face of evolving relationships.

If her brother can’t respect the turtles for one day, the tradition might need to come with a guest list.

Want the next round of family pet drama, read whether she should refuse cousins’ therapy cat’s “special treatment” requests.