Every parent hopes to create a home where their child feels safe, loved, and supported. But what happens when that same home becomes the source of distress instead of comfort?
A mother’s world unraveled when her daughter’s return home brought old wounds and new complications to light.
Faced with a confession that shattered her sense of stability, she made a decision that many online are calling unforgivable. But from her point of view, it was the only way to survive the chaos consuming her family.
The woman wrote that her daughter had a “complicated past”
While most new parents don’t consume alcohol in a way that puts their children at risk, even a few drinks can impair judgment and reaction time.
Both of these abilities are crucial when caring for a baby or young child and evaluating their needs. Alcohol can also make adults feel more tired, reducing their responsiveness, and may lead to risky decisions that they would not make while sober.
Because of these risks, it’s recommended that at least one sober adult be present to look after children. A sober caregiver can ensure a baby’s safety, especially if something unexpected happens.
Planning ahead is key: one parent might choose to abstain from drinking, or parents can arrange for a trusted family member, friend, or babysitter to supervise the child.
Safe sleep practices are also essential. Babies should never co-sleep with adults under the influence, as the risk of accidental suffocation is extremely high.
Instead, infants should be placed in their own separate, firm, and flat sleep space such as a crib, bassinet, or Moses basket. The sleep space should be free from soft objects, loose bedding, and toys, which can pose suffocation hazards.
The safest sleep arrangement is for the baby to share the room with the caregiver, but not the bed, for at least the first six months. This allows for easier monitoring while maintaining a safe sleep environment.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), room-sharing without bed-sharing reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and is strongly recommended.
The CDC also emphasizes placing babies on their backs for all sleep times, using a firm sleep surface, and keeping the sleep area free of loose objects and soft bedding.
“Not drinking alcohol could be a good option for your family, especially during the first few months of a baby’s life,” concludes The Lullaby Trust.
Ensuring a sober caregiver is present and maintaining a safe sleep environment are among the most important ways to protect infants and support their healthy development. (The Lullaby Trust)
Here’s what the community had to contribute:
These commenters criticized the mother’s lack of empathy, saying she failed to protect her daughter both in childhood and adulthood
This group roasted the OP for prioritizing her husband’s comfort over her child’s safety, calling her selfish and complicit in her daughter’s trauma
These Redditors were outraged that she expelled her daughter instead of removing the husband, insisting any decent parent would have thrown him out immediately
So, what do you think? Do you think OP was the jerk? Share your thoughts in the comments below!=
