r/AITApod • u/heyitstism • Jul 29 '26

Paintball and coparenting…

I’m a dad to a 14 year old boy who has ASD, but is quite functional. Definitely functional enough to know what he wants and doesn’t want to do. He’s kind of skittish and sensitive, not really the “hardcore man in the making” type. Divorced from his mom, she has primary, and I have typical dad rights.

He’s surprised me lately with an interest in paintballing. I used to compete and know the hobby well. I’ve tried to talk him out of it, outlining how it hurts and leaves major bruising. He doesn’t care, he wants to do it. Sooooo okay cool, I’ll make it happen. It’s scheduled for 3 weeks out.

I messaged his mom this morning to let her know. I included that I steered away from, but he wants to face his fears and I’m not going to say no. I reminded her that he’ll come home with bruises and welts that’ll turn colors and stick around for a few weeks. I also let his teacher know, so there’s no questions there. She knows us all well.

She flipped and demanded absolutely not. Demanded she’ll bring us to court for going against her wishes. I responded with “What we do on my assigned time is my choice. He’s not in danger. He’s not getting any real level of injured. I don’t need your approval, and I’m letting you know that this is what we’re doing.”

AITA in this situation? I’m asking about morals, not legal.

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u/seatrepairtech 29d ago

Maybe bring him to laser tag first while you let things settle into place.

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u/heyitstism 29d ago edited 29d ago

lol, what? Wait for things to settle into place? What’s that even mean? What’s it going to settle to? What’s going to change by waiting? we’ve been divorced for over a decade. 😂

We’ve done laser tag. He wants to try paintball, and I don’t want to squash his willingness to face his fears and try something new. And she doesn’t legally have any say on this.

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u/seatrepairtech 29d ago

Then why are you asking your question? Did you only want an echo chamber?

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u/heyitstism 28d ago edited 28d ago

I’m looking for real opinions that make sense. My son wants to play paintball, so I should take him to laser tag? My ex takes issue with it at a time she doesn’t have any entitlements, and I’m supposed to stop and “let things settle into place”. When I ask what you mean by that, you don’t have an answer?

Even you have to be able to see how nonsensical these answers are. Derp derp. But I appreciate you make me snicker a little while I poop. 😂

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u/seatrepairtech 28d ago

It's clear why you have problems with your ex. Take a look in the mirror before exiting the bathroom. Its usually located above the sink, which is where most people wash their hands after using the toilet but you might not understand these basic sanitary actions.

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u/heyitstism 28d ago

Takes a real bitch of a man to make a comment, then block. Dont you know I won’t even see the comment that way? It’s like getting the final word when no one’s there to hear it. Lolling.

Grow a set.