There are some products we purchase at the drug store that we would prefer to buy on one of our solo errands.
We know these things are a natural part of life, but we still enjoy privacy.
But sometimes disaster strikes and we’re forced to make an exception.
For one Redditor, who posted about their experience on the “Am I the A**hole (AITA)” subReddit, that led to an even bigger ordeal than she ever expected.
The Original Poster (OP), known as ThrowPack-4343 on the site, came right out with it in the title.
“AITA For asking my son to get me a pack of pads?”
OP led with some family background.
“I (36-year-old female) divorced my ex husband (37-year-old) 6 years ago. we have a 18 year old son (Justin) together and I’m currently with my fiance (32-year-old male) of 3 years.”
Recently, a crisis struck.
“Straight to the point – Days ago I had my period and had really bad cramps.”
“I was home alone and was running out of spare pads because I didn’t think I’d need more than what I had (medical problems aside).”
So OP had to call in backup.
“I called my fiance to ask if he could get me a pack of pads and he said he was in the middle of work and asked me to hold on and call my sister.”
“I told him I couldn’t wait for my sister and notified him that I’d just call Justin and ask him to stop by the store and get me a pack of pads.”
“He said this was a bad idea and that I’ll put Justin in an awkward position by having him go to the store for a pack of pads and since he was out with friends they might make fun of him.”
But the stakes were high.
“I was in too much discomfort to keep the conversation going as he kept convincing me to rest and wait til my sister to pick up her phone.”
“I ended the call and called Justin asking if he could stop by the store and get me a pack of pads and he said yes.”
“I asked if he had money on him and he said ‘mom! I got it.’ In a matter of 10 minutes he came home and handed me the pack then went upstairs to his room.”
OP’s fiance eventually heard about it.
“The day went fine til my fiance got home and started complaining after I told him Justin got me a pack of pads while he was out.”
“He said this was not okay and I shouldn’t have asked Justin to do this after he told me not to.”
“He said this is just wrong and I should’ve listened to him when he told me to call my sister to get me what I want but I said she wasn’t picking up and I couldn’t wait.”
OP didn’t quite see it that way.
“Also, I don’t see no issues here since Justin didn’t even seem bothered but he said he strongly disagrees and that he didn’t appreciate how I acted dismissively to his opinions and thoughts…”
“…and that I shoud feel some guilt because he guaranteed Justin must’ve had a hard time getting me my pack since this whole thing is awkward.”
But her fiance fired back.
“He straight up said he never heard of a mother asking her kid to get her feminine hygiene products let alone a 18 year old kid.”
“He even went as far as implying I was abusing my son with this.”
“The argument didn’t end well. He fiance kept drilling on how I messed up by doing that and has made an issue out of it so now I’m wondering if I really messed up by asking Justin to do this.”
“He’s open to me but it could be that he felt awkward by what I asked of him. so AITA?”
Anonymous strangers weighed in by declaring:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
- NAH – No A**holes Here
Most Redditors assured OP she hadn’t been an a**hole to ask her son for the favor.
“NTA- bigger question is why does your 18 year old have more maturity and empathy than your 32 year old fiancé lol” — maddiemandie
“JFC NTA and are you sure you want to marry a person that behaves as though pads are the same as hiring someone to complete a hit?”
“Someone that is frankly, way too comfortable telling you how to handle your bodily functions. ‘just wait’?! What the fuck?! It’s not urine you cannot hold it or make it ‘wait’.” — MetalDevils
“NTA Your current partner is expressing how HE would feel getting pads for you. He’s also mad that you didn’t listen to him. He’s likely also mad that Justin did it no problem, proving his theory wrong.” — ZeldLurr
“I’m an 18yo man and I have to buy my mother her feminine products occasionally, I don’t necessarily want to but I understand that her needs go above my wants…”
“…but tbh you fiancé sound like an insecure a** and I honestly would like to chat with him over why he thinks it’s emasculating to have to buy feminine products for a loved one in need” — Possible_Blacksmith9
Others in fact heaped on praise.
“Take comfort in the fact that you are an awesome mom and you have raised a more mature man than you are marrying!”
“The fact that Justin handles it all so calmly (and quickly!) shows that he is a kind and considerate young man and if one day he has a girlfriend or wife, I’m sure that will extend to her.”
“Your fiancé is by no means alone, a lot of men are raised to think that it’s embarrassing for men to buy feminine hygiene products, but I hope he’ll learn something from your son’s attitude and see that the world has moved on. NTA” — BooBob69
“Definitely NTA. Sounds like you’ve raised a great son and your fiancé is less mature than he is.” — Consistent_Ad6849
Thankfully, OP can at least rely on her son to handle any future crises with plenty of maturity.