'AITA for not allowing my ex and former best friend to use my children as emotional support animals?'

A woman, under the username Nearby-Savings-5686, recently took to Reddit's "Am I the A**hole" (AITAH) forum to share her dilemma regarding her ex-husband and former best friend’s request to involve her children in their personal struggles.

The woman explained that she has two children under 12 with her ex, whom she divorced five years ago after discovering he and her former best friend had been having an affair.

Woman rejects ex-husband's request to take their children on 'healing getaway' for him and his wife

Despite their actions, the original poster (OP) remained civil for the sake of her children, who continue to struggle with the divorce's emotional fallout.

The situation took a turn when her ex reached out to ask her to bring their children to the hospital after his wife (Op's former best friend) suffered her tenth miscarriage. 

"I got a call from ex telling me all this and asking me to bring the children to the hospital to stay until she was ready to leave. It was my parenting time so I told him I would not bring them to sit and wait," the OP explained. 

Now, the ex is requesting that their children join him and his wife on a "healing getaway" during her scheduled parenting time. He wants to take the children out of school for a week to help his wife grieve.

The woman refused the request, emphasizing that her children are not "their emotional support" and that missing school for this purpose is unacceptable.

"I explained that I was not letting him take them out of school for a week just for her. I told him the kids are not their emotional support to get them through this and therapy is significantly better. I told him I didn't approve of them missing extended school time period," she stated.

Her ex attempted to guilt her, arguing that "human decency would state I should be willing to put aside our differences at a time like this."

He even suggested that her refusal could lead to tragic consequences for his wife.

However, the woman stood firm in her decision. "I told him I wouldn't feel anything. I told him they lost all their rights for me to feel something for them when they betrayed me and I would not be manipulated into agreeing," she shared. 

"He's pushing very hard for this and trying to guilt me into agreeing. I know I might be overly harsh in my response to this so I wanted to ask if people believe I'm wrong or not," the woman added, seeking advice from fellow Redditors. 

Redditors support the woman's decision, emphasizing children's well-being over the ex's emotional demands

Fellow Reddtiors agreed with the woman's decision, saying she was right to prioritize her children's well-being and education over her ex-husband's request.

One wrote, "NTA Your kids are not your cheating ex's wife's emotional support animals. He can go get a dog. Dogs love you even if you are a complete a**hole. You don't pull kids out of school just to make yourself feel better. That is completely inappropriate."

Another added, "I would call the school and let them know the situation. So if he tries to keep them home in his weeks they know the reason and can contact you. It's unacceptable to leave them home to take care of an grieving adult."

"Your children are not therapy dogs. You need to go back to court," a person remarked. 

"This. Please call a lawyer. Your ex has a lot of nerve and karma has bitten him and his wife," one more suggested.

Another person said, "OMG NTA. They cheated and now want YOUR kids to be HER emotional support animal? 🙄 GTFO. School is def more important than their 'healing getaway.' Protect your kids, queen! 👑"

"NTA. Your priority is protecting your kids, and the situation with your ex’s wife is deeply concerning. Seeking full custody until she gets professional help is a responsible step. Your ex also seems overwhelmed, and the children’s safety must come first—going to court is the right move," an individual offered. 

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