A mother has sparked a furious debate after revealing her partner wanted her 13-year-old to sit in economy, while the pair enjoyed business class.
A woman, believed to be from the US, asked Reddit whether it would be inappropriate for her son to sit alone in economy class on a flight that would likely take nine hours.
Her child should not be allowed to sit with the mother and stepfather because, according to her, her partner does not want him there.
The mother’s friend, who has been around for five years, thinks the child should just be grateful for the international trip.
Reddit users were furious with the mother for the suggestion, with one writing: “So we already know he doesn’t like your kid, what other big red flags are you ignoring with this guy?”
The mother, believed to be from the US, sparked outrage among Redditors when she questioned whether it would be inappropriate to leave her child in economy class while she and her partner fly in business class (stock image)
She told the platform that her partner did not want her 13-year-old with her in business class and believes the child should be grateful for the trip
She tried to rationalize her partner’s behavior by saying he had spent money on her child’s various milestones during their five-year relationship.
The 33 year old mother went to the Reddit forum to explain that they found themselves in this predicament while she and her partner were organizing a holiday destination for the ‘blended’ family of three.
She explained that the couple split the cost of the holiday for the three of them, even though her boyfriend earns ‘significantly’ more than her.
Her 40-year-old boyfriend thinks booking a business class ticket for her 13-year-old “isn’t worth the extra cost, even if he were a millionaire.”
He expects the teen to enjoy the movies and amenities in Economy, explaining that the child will be able to visit the couple throughout the flight.
The mother said if the child traveled in the same class as the pair, she would have to pay for the upgrade.
She wrote that the friend thinks it’s strange and “morally wrong” for her to even do that.
According to her, her partner would like to sit alone in business class while she accompanies her child
The woman tried to rationalize her partner’s behavior towards her child by saying: ‘He spent a lot of money and time on my child, on birthdays, events and milestones.
‘They get along well and have had few setbacks.’
She added, “Every now and then I’ve had to stand up for one thing or the other, but I feel like that’s to be expected with blended families.
But Reddit users are absolutely baffled that the mother is okay with her partner’s behavior towards her child.
One person commented: ‘Yes, a 13 year old can travel in a different class, fine. Oh well, they could travel alone.
“But there’s just something unsettling about having a parent on the same flight but in a different class. Does your friend usually disrespect your child?’
Another person said: ‘It’s disturbing because it’s planned. If it happened unintentionally, I think anyone could relate to it.
“But deliberately keeping your 13-year-old far away because it’s a waste of money is very disturbing.”
One user added: ‘Get into economics with your son. Let your friend sit alone in business class.
“If you let him exclude your son, he’ll think it’s okay and keep pushing that boundary.”
Others urged the mother to be aware of the impact her boyfriend’s actions could have on her child, saying: “If this is the way your boyfriend is going to treat your child, you better end your relationship.” better reconsider.
“The problem won’t just be a business class airline ticket.”
However, not everyone agreed that the stepdad was wrong, with one user writing: ‘If I was 13 I wouldn’t want to be on a plane near my parents.
‘It wouldn’t even occur to me that I had any right to be in the first class. I would just assume it was an adult thing.
‘And if the child has a problem, just say something like: you can have your first lesson when you are 21.’
Another joked: ‘I don’t think it’s strange that children sit differently than adults. It’s 9 o’clock in a relatively safe, enclosed space.’