Cuddling in bed and watching TV is often a favorite pastime for people in love.
It can be a very cozy and intimate way to bond.
But not every partner seems to embrace the experience.
Some lovers just don’t like to watch TV while being cozy.
Redditor Woooo37 found himself in a personal dilemma regarding his new romantic relationship and his choice of TV watching, so he turned to the “Am I The A**Hole” (AITAH) subreddit for feedback.
Similar to AITA, the AITAH subReddit allows posters to ask for advice and post about ending relationships—both things that are banned on AITA. However, there are no required voting acronyms—only suggested ones—and no official final judgment declared.
He asked:
“AITAH for watching a cartoon instead of cuddling?”
The original poster (OP) explained:
“I am going through a divorce, which might make me automatically the AH.”
“I have been hooking up with someone. “
“We aren’t official, but I thought we were headed towards it.”
“She came over, and I made dinner.”
“We had dinner. “
“We had dessert.”
“It was a wonderful evening.”
“We were cuddling, and on the way to drifting off, when I remembered I forgot to watch my show.”
“My son and I watch one episode of his favorite show every day, and in the morning, during our breakfast phone call, we talk about the show.”
“It’s our thing.”
“I said, ‘Shoot, I forgot,’ and got out of bed.”
“She asked where I was going, and I said my son and I watch an episode of his favorite show every day.”
“I won’t lie.”
“I kind of expected her to think that was cute.”
“She didn’t.”
“She couldn’t believe I was abandoning her in the middle of a postcoital cuddle.”
“I said she could come watch the show with me, and then we’ll go back to cuddling.”
“She asked what show it was.”
“I told her, and she was even more annoyed.”
“She said,’ So you want me to watch cartoons with you? You’d rather watch cartoons than stay in bed with me?'”
“I said no, and that it was just because of my son.”
“I said it will take less than 30 minutes, and that she should relax in bed, and then I’ll give her a back massage.”
“She said no, got dressed, and left.”
“I asked her to stay and promised to make it up to her, but she gave me the bird.”
“It’s been a while since I was on the dating scene, but she’s overreacting, right?”
“It’s not like I wanted to watch cartoons for my own amusement.”
“It’s for my kid.”
“It would have been less than 30 minutes.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“Am I an a**hole just for that?”
Some Redditors weighed in by using the AITA voting acronyms:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Redditors decided the OP was NOT the A**hole here.
“Can we please know what cartoon?”
“It doesn’t matter because you aren’t the AH here, but I would personally like to know!!”
“And the woman who will last with you will understand this.” ~ NAFBYneverever
OP responded…
“DuckTales!!!”
Reddit continued…
“Oh dude, NTA!”
“And respect to you for choosing your son over some uncultured bimbo.”
“Well done!” ~ Fluffy-Ad1225
“Username check out. Made me sing the theme song to myself.”
“Also NTA.”
“I’d also choose DuckTales.”
“I’m also a divorcee and parent.”
“My partner now also has kids, and I’d be sad if either of us prioritized anything over our kids.”
“I think you should find someone who gets it/you.” ~ AttractiveNuisance82
“Is this woman 30 or older?”
“I would expect this kind of childish behavior from a young 20-something, but not a grown woman.”
“The second you said you needed to do this for your son, she should have understood this was not a battle she could win.”
“The choice was either to lean in or step away.”
“Instead, she had a tantrum and flicked you off.”
“I think you should take these as signs to move on unless she comes to her senses.” ~ djluminol
“NTA. You should do this with every woman you date.”
“When you find the one who gets up to watch it with you, then that’s the right one.”
“This one can go kick rocks.” ~ TeacupCollector2011
“My husband and I once found a ‘Saturday morning cartoon’ candle.”
“It smells like Froot Loops.”
“So we buy cereal.”
“What do we do when we eat the cereal on Saturday morning?”
“Watch all the best old cartoons – DuckTales, Tailspin, Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck.”
“The right person will watch with enthusiasm.” ~ boxing_coffee
“The reaction is seriously overblown because of a cartoon.”
“Especially since OP explained why he was doing it.”
“NTA, but she kind of is.”
“As I get it, if someone just got up and abandoned me, I’d be annoyed.”
“But if they told me they were doing it for their kid, then I would understand and probably just watch the damn cartoon with them.” ~ Neveronlyadream
“I think most people would find it cute, appreciate the fact that they are clearly a thoughtful and caring dad, and either watch it or chill, and either one of them is fine.”
“I think this woman is just a bi*ch who would eventually make OP choose between her and his child.” ~ -Distinction
“I would have been the one getting up to watch with OP.”
“My husband and I (57 and 62) still watch cartoons.”
“We have been watching cartoons together since we started dating (married 32 years), neither one ever stopped watching once we ‘grew up,’ and will continue to do so until we are both dead!” ~ wartwelem
“I just can’t wrap my head around her not thinking this was cute?”
“Then, not getting up to watch it with him!”
“Can you cuddle while you watch the cartoon?”
“My boyfriend and I have always loved watching cartoons together, for our own amusement lol.”
“Now, we watch them WITH our almost 2-year-old.”
“This dude is doing it FOR his child, who I’m assuming he doesn’t see much anymore because of the divorce.”
“Although he’s dating rather quickly imo (unless she cheated, then you do you, boo), if I was seeing a guy and he told me this, that’d be a major green flag.”
“Her loss, OP.”
“A blessing in disguise 🤷🏻♀️.” ~ Ok_Extension_955
“NTA- You become the a**hole when you put any woman (or guy) over your kids.” ~ liveandletlive222
“NTA, but I’m genuinely wondering how old she is because what kind of person flips someone the bird simply for going to watch a show for your son.”
“The fact that she didn’t wanna watch it with you but got upset that you were gonna watch it anyway, despite telling her you do it for your son, is just immature.” ~ Blueberry_Pie04
“NTA. Your son comes first.” ~ daklut3
“NTA. You’ve learned something important about her before it’s too late.”
“She’s going to be jealous of your kid.”
“She’s not worth your time, and you can tell her I said so.” ~ KeepAnEyeOnYourB12
“NTA, you’re starting on the path to single parenthood now, and romantic relationships are going to be a little different going forward.”
“You can no longer take it for granted that your partner also prioritizes your son.”
“You’re going to need to proceed cautiously with a potential romantic interest.”
“If you want to be the best parent you can be, you’ll need to be ready to walk away from a woman who can’t or won’t understand and accept what dating a single parent entails.” ~ AdvantageBig227
“Bro, what. NTA.”
“That’s adorable.”
“I mean, I can see someone feeling a little pushed away?”
“Or annoyed at the timing?”
“But as adults, they can say that.”
“You showed you care about your family and keep your promises.”
“The timing wasn’t ideal, but who cares?” ~ Electrical_Trip1476
“NTA. Traditions and stability are important, especially since you’re going through a divorce.”
“If she can’t understand the importance of providing that to your son, she’s not the woman for you.” ~ Most_Mountain818
“NTA. She’s not ready to date a Dad.”
“Definitely a red flag.”
“If things progress with you two, I’d be scared to see what kind of stepmom she would be.” ~ KuaiLeDeXiaoNiu
“It’s probably because I’m a mom, but this is so wholesome 😭😭 showing up for your kids, especially when they’re going through something difficult, is so important, NTA.” ~ DirtyLittlePriincess
“NTA. I’m also going through a divorce, and you’re doing a great job with your son.”
“Thank you for this wonderful idea.”
“Now I need to pick out a show for my son and me, too!” ~ BigDaddy2127
“NTA. Even if you wanted to watch cartoons for the heck of it, she had no reason to be upset with you.” ~ Former_Inflation9735
“Not the a**hole, but do you really want a partner that doesn’t support your relationship with your child?”
“Personally, this would be the end of that relationship for me.”
“I’d have a talk with them and see where that goes at the very least.”
“As a former child with divorced parents and a step-parent that made life miserable because I wasn’t his, this is a major red flag.” ~ Radio4ctiveGirl
“I think what you do for your son is so sweet!”
“If it were me, my heart would have melted, and I would have jumped at the chance to cuddle and watch cartoons.”
“She sounds like a b-word. NTA.” ~ JingleKitty
“NTA. I would have just been more turned on that you’re a good dad.”
“Granted, I don’t think I’d get out of bed for Ducktales, but I also would not have minded in the least.” ~ oo0ooBarracuda
“NTA, I think that is the sweetest thing that you and your son do.”
“I would try this out on every lady.”
“Of course, after you’ve known each other for a while.”
“Anyone who would not get out of bed and snuggle up with you isn’t meant to be with you.”
“The one that watches it with you so you can keep your morning routine is the one to keep.” ~ REDDIT
Reddit is with you, OP.
This woman can keep on walking if she likes.
Why wouldn’t she just watch it with you?
This doesn’t sound like stepmother material.
Try not to worry too much about it.
Good Luck and enjoy the show!