How everyone’s body functions can be a very awkward conversation.
That’s why so many kids hate health class.
But there are things everyone should know about the human body, to at least avoid embarrassment.
Case in point…
Redditor chancecreator wanted to discuss his experience and get some feedback. So naturally, he came to visit the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit.
He asked:
“AITA for telling my stepdaughter to stop using period products in the bathroom she shares with my teenage sons?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“I have been living with my new wife and stepdaughter for about 6 months now.”
“She’s 19, almost 20, and I have three sons aged 18, 16 and 15.”
“She’s a really good kid and she’s a good influence on my sons, I really enjoy having her around.”
“My wife and her daughter moved into my house and sold theirs.”
“My stepdaughter’s father isn’t present in her life, nor is my son’s mother.”
“All four children share a bathroom.”
“My sons have never lived for a long period of time with a woman, nor have any of them had long term girlfriends.”
“They had short visitation periods when they were younger but never longer than an hour, so living with two women has been unusual for them.”
“My eldest son, 18, came to me last week and told me that his stepsister disposes of her used sanitary products in the trash can they share.”
“But she doesn’t use toilet roll or sandwich bags to disguise what they are, and it makes him uncomfortable which I think is reasonable.”
“My sons are teenage boys and don’t want to see their stepsister’s period products on full display.”
“A few nights ago I went into the kitchen to grab a snack and she was there doing some work for university.”
“My wife had mentioned that she knew she was on her period so I took it as an opportunity to have a word with her.”
“I told her my sons were uncomfortable and asked her if she’d mind putting her used products in diaper bags or flushing them down the toilet.”
“She laughed and told me it was rich coming from a man who ‘sheds like a gorilla’ and has produced ‘three skid marking sons’ which I thought was just an unnecessary attack.”
“I’ve been nothing but nice to the girl and it’s hardly a comparison.”
“My sons shouldn’t be subjected to her unhygienic products if it makes them uncomfortable.”
“She went on to lecture me about how tampons can’t be flushed and that it’s bad for the environment if she uses diaper bags for every one which I think is just an excuse.”
“I called her a scruff and told her that this was my house and that what I say goes.”
“I later asked my wife if she could have a word with her and she told me I was being ridiculous and that her daughter has had her period for ten years and knows what she’s doing.”
“When I told her it was making my sons uncomfortable she said my sons needed to get a grip and turned over and went to sleep.”
“This is a genuine issue to me and she didn’t care enough to have a discussion about it.”
“I asked my stepdaughter again in the morning and she did the same as her mother, completely dismissed it.”
“Both of them have told me to stop being so silly but I don’t see how I’m being unreasonable when it makes my sons uncomfortable.”
“AITA?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed some options to the question AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared OP WAS the A**hole.
“YTA. Sorry but what?”
“I’m a guy and realize this is ridiculous.” You need to help yourself and your son’s become better men and accept that it’s a natural process.”
“Are you uncomfortable with your wife’s use of the same?”
“I assume not so teach your sons to be better.” ~ manwithoutaplanTO
“Fun story: I had been away for work placement and flew home (ended up sleeping in an airport from 2am-7am).”
“Got home around 9 am, was very tired, unpacked a few toiletries and pjs including my pads, put them on the back of the toilet and went straight to bed.”
“I woke up a few hours later to my whole family gone but my grandmother coming in the door with her cousins visiting from Holland.”
“She visited for a bit and after I couldn’t find my pads.”
“She had hidden them under the sink so her relatives didn’t see them I guess?”
“I had a little chuckle about how old and conservative she is to think that would be offensive.”
“Anyway OP YTA, your sons need to grow up and take a sex Ed course, as do you.”
“If she’s wrapping them in the wrappers/TP and in a lidded garbage can that’s all you can ask of her.” ~ Js880185
“I’m gonna say the immaturity about this probably gives a telling reason as to why even his 18 year old son may have not had ‘a long term relationship’ yet.”
“Most teens are in relationships of some sort but if they are this immature about periods than what else are they immature about?”
“YTA OP. As a female I am appalled.”
“Teach your sons better.”
“My boyfriend is appalled too and thinks YTA too for not teaching your sons to not snoop through a trashcan.” ~ RockabillyRabbit
“OP, she’s doing them a favor by treating them like mature human males who can handle the fact that women have periods.”
“This is something they need to come to terms with now so they don’t act like childish jerks when they have a girlfriend, wife, or daughter of their own.”
“In fact, I think they should have to buy products for her just to get over their supposed fear of periods.”
“And make them take the bathroom trash out.”
“I promise it won’t hurt them.”
“Oh – YTA for vilifying a woman’s basic bodily functions.” ~ REDDIT
“Wait, what? From just reading the post, I thought maybe she was just laying them open, blood up, in an open trash can.”
“But she’s wrapping them in the package in a trash can with lid?”
“This is just ridiculous. OP, YTA, and you should be thanking your lucky stars (and your wallet, and the plumbing gods) that she’s not agreeing with you to flush her products.”
“Hey, OP, how about instead of shaming your stepdaughter for a natural function, you teach your sons all about natural body functions, and how it’s nothing to be grossed out about.”
“Help make them better men, and then if they ever do get married they’ll be better husbands.”
“Or, y’know, keep doing what you’re doing and then wonder why your second marriage crumbled, and why your daughters-in-law keep complaining about what jerks your sons are.” ~ Brightspt2
“Also chiming in on the top comment to say that not only is this post ridiculous, it’s sexist AF.”
“It is normal for a 19 year old female body to menstruate.”
“OP’s sons need to get comfortable with that fact, fast, and learn that women don’t have to adjust their behavior to make them comfortable.”
‘It is not, on the other hand, normal or okay to leave skidmarks (or tons of hair) in shared spaces without cleaning up after yourself.”
“YTA, OP.” ~ GalacticaActually
“I was gonna say N-T-A, then I saw this.”
“There are 11 males in my house and they’ve literally never complained about any of our ‘unhygienic products’ cause they’re all wrapped up in the packaging.”
“I legit thought the stepdaughter was leaving her napkins wide open in the trash from the way I read it.”
“What kind of decent dad would let his sons be scared and uncomfortable with something as mundane as napkins and tampons, damn. YTA.” ~ bonkerred
“Yep, YTA.”
“Also, flushing those products down the toilet will block the toilet too, which I’m sure you’ll be thrilled about when you have to pay for the plumber to come out to your house.”
“If you want to raise upstanding sons, raise them with the knowledge that periods are normal and not something to shame her for.”
“THEY are the ones being immature by making a fuss.”
“She’s wrapping them up and putting them in the bin like she should.”
“LISTEN TO YOUR DAMN WIFE, AND STOP TRYING TO MANSPLAIN HOW TO HANDLE PERIODS!!”
“The fact is you don’t know how to handle periods, or period products. EDUCATE YOURSELF!!”
“Read a book or listen to your wife (WITHOUT dismissing her experience) before lecturing your stepdaughter on something you obviously know nothing about.” ~ glitterswirl
“YTA. How about you have a talk with your sons about periods instead of trying to shame a woman for bleeding.” ~ itchybottombees
OP came back with an update…
“UPDATE — Not even two hours after I posted this, my wife and stepdaughter gathered my sons and I and gave us a full intensive ‘periods for pricks’ course.”
“Powerpoint and all.”
“It was a hoot, they made an interactive quiz and everything.”
“My sons and I learned a lot and apologized to my stepdaughter.”
“Thank you for your input.”
Well OP, Reddit is pretty loud and clear.
It maybe time for some education for you and your boys.
No need to feel shame.
It’s all the circle of life.
Good luck.