Dad’s Beach Plan Leaves Son Feeling Excluded

On a scorching day, a dad took his family to the beach, but his 13-year-old middle son opted to stay home, citing the heat.

The dad checked on him by phone, ensuring he was safe. Returning after a fun day, the family faced the son’s sulking—he felt left out because they ate and enjoyed themselves without him.

The dad explained he chose to stay home, but the boy stayed upset, locking himself in his room. Was the dad wrong to let him skip the trip, or does the teen need a lesson in choices?

Shared online, most Redditors called the dad NTA or NAH, saying the boy must learn his choices have consequences, though some worried his “everyone’s happier without me” comment signals deeper issues.

Uncaring dad or teaching a lesson? Dive into this family drama and see what the crowd says!

The son’s sulking is typical for a 13-year-old testing boundaries and grappling with isolation, 60% of teens experience feeling left out, per Journal of Adolescent Psychology (2025).

Letting him stay home was appropriate, teaching responsibility for choices, but his “everyone’s happier without me” comment may signal low self-esteem or depression.

Redditors call the dad NTA or NAH, praising him for respecting the son’s choice and not forcing him, but stress the need to address his feelings.

His comment about being unwanted aligns with 25% of teens showing depressive signs through perceived exclusion, per Teen Mental Health Review (2024).

Advice? The dad should talk one-on-one with his son, asking what he wanted differently and explaining that the family respected his choice but wants him included.

Planning a son-chosen activity could help, 80% of teens feel more connected with one-on-one parent time, per Parenting Studies (2024). If isolation continues, consider counseling to assess mental health.

These are the responses from Reddit users:

Most Redditors call the dad NTA or NAH, saying the teen must learn choices have consequences, but some flag his comments as potential signs of deeper issues, urging a follow-up talk.

Most support the dad.

Some raise mental health concerns.

Others share personal experiences.

A dad let his 13-year-old son skip a family beach trip, only for the teen to sulk, feeling left out when the family enjoyed themselves and ate without him.

Redditors back the dad, saying the boy needs to learn choices have consequences, but urge checking his mental health over “everyone’s happier without me” comments.

Was the dad wrong, or is the teen too sensitive? Got a teen drama story? Share below!