Should I Have Invited My Brother to My Babys Gender Reveal Party?

AITA for excluding my brother from my baby's gender reveal party? Family tensions rise as I grapple with the aftermath of his absence.

Davy

Published in Interesting
August 9, 2025

Should I Have Invited My Brother to My Babys Gender Reveal Party?

Are you the antagonist or the victim in this family drama? The original poster, a 27-year-old soon-to-be mom, deliberates on whether she crossed a line by excluding her estranged brother from her baby's gender reveal party.

The sibling relationship is riddled with past conflicts, and the brother's contentious nature has caused tension during previous gatherings. Despite extending an olive branch by inviting him to the celebration, he declined, leaving the OP feeling rejected and hurt.

Family and friends are split in their opinions, with some empathizing with her hurt feelings while others suggest she could have handled the situation better. The Reddit community weighs in on the dilemma, showcasing a variety of perspectives.

Some side with the OP, asserting her right to celebrate without catering to her brother's whims, labeling her as "not the antagonist" (NTA). Conversely, others urge understanding and communication, highlighting the complexity of family dynamics and suggesting she might have overreacted, deeming her as "the antagonist" (YTA).

Each comment reflects the intricate dynamics of family relationships, emphasizing the importance of empathy, communication, and setting boundaries in navigating familial discord.

Original Post

So I'm (27F), and recently my partner and I found out we are expecting a baby. We decided to have a small gender reveal party with close friends and family to celebrate this exciting moment.

My brother (31M) and I have always had a strained relationship due to past conflicts and differences in personalities. He tends to be very opinionated and often dismisses my feelings.

For background, at previous family gatherings, he has made hurtful comments and created tension. Despite our history, I sent an invitation to my brother for the gender reveal party, hoping to put our differences aside for the sake of family harmony.

However, a week before the event, he sent me a text saying he wouldn't be attending, citing a petty reason that seemed more like an excuse to avoid the celebration. His refusal to attend hurt me deeply, as it felt like another rejection from him.

Now, my family is divided. Some say I should have insisted on his presence, while others support my decision and understand why I feel hurt by his absence.

Despite this, I can't help but wonder if I overreacted by not trying harder to mend fences with my brother and include him in such a significant moment in my life. So, AITA?