Son Upset Over Baby Girl, Dad Tells Him “I’m Disappointed Too,” Mom’s Hilarious Response Shuts Him Down

Expecting a child can be a joyous occasion, but it can also bring out unexpected emotions, especially when it comes to gender preferences. One Redditor’s son and daughter-in-law were thrilled to share the news of their baby’s gender, a girl. However, when her son reacted with visible disappointment and even gave his wife the silent treatment, the Redditor was caught off guard.

When her son defended his reaction, claiming gender disappointment was a valid reason for his upset, the Redditor didn’t hold back. She responded with a sarcastic remark about her own “disappointment,” which left her son furious and unwilling to speak to her.

Now, her family is saying she invalidated his feelings and owes him an apology. Was her response over the top, or was she justified in calling out his behavior? Read on to find out.

A father responds to his son’s gender disappointment with sarcasm, causing tension at family dinner

When it comes to gender disappointment, it’s clear that this is a real emotional reaction for some parents. It’s completely okay for someone to feel a bit sad if they were hoping for one gender over another, especially if they’ve had an expectation built up over time.

In this story, OP’s son is clearly struggling with gender disappointment, a term that describes the feeling of sadness or frustration some people experience when the baby’s gender doesn’t match their expectations.

While it’s normal to feel a range of emotions during pregnancy, gender disappointment can be hard to understand for those who have never experienced it themselves. The son’s response, however, seems disproportionate, especially given that his wife was the one who was most affected by the news.

OP’s reaction to the situation, while perhaps intended as a lighthearted way to show his son how he feels about the situation, didn’t land as intended. The remark, “I have a son and I’m disappointed right now,” likely came off as dismissive rather than empathetic, invalidating the son’s feelings rather than offering comfort or understanding.

The son was probably looking for validation for his feelings, not a comparison to OP’s own experience. By responding in this way, OP may have inadvertently made the situation worse, causing his son to feel dismissed and unsupported.

Harvard Business Review notes that while disappointment is natural, how we manage that disappointment is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships.

Psychologist Terri Cole, LCSW, explains that when someone is upset, especially about something as deeply personal as gender disappointment, they often seek empathy and validation rather than criticism. “When someone minimizes or dismisses your emotions, it can leave you feeling unseen and unheard.”

OP’s response might have been rooted in frustration or confusion about the son’s reaction, but understanding that the son needed empathy rather than a sharp retort could have helped de-escalate the situation.

The son’s hurt feelings are likely a mix of genuine disappointment and frustration, and while OP doesn’t have to agree with him, offering compassion might have been a better approach.

Redditors couldn’t agree more with OP’s response to her son:

This group applauded OP’s quick wit and the way she turned the situation around

These users felt OP’s comment was the perfect reality check

This group thought OP’s son was being manipulative by using gender disappointment as an excuse to mistreat his wife

These users backed up OP for putting her son in his place

This story really shows the power of confronting bad behavior with humor and directness. While gender disappointment is a real issue, it’s no excuse for disrespecting your partner. The OP’s response to her son’s behavior not only highlighted how ridiculous his actions were but also set a boundary that needed to be set.

Was it harsh? Perhaps. But sometimes, people need to be called out to realize the impact of their actions. What do you think? Was the OP justified in her response? Share your thoughts below!