Family gatherings can bring the best and the worst in people all at the same time.

But not all “worsts” are created equal.

In this case, both of this woman’s siblings married into difficult families, and when one family member started bullying her 5-year-old daughter, she decided to skip their Thanksgiving dinner.

But was this the right decision for her situation?

Let’s read the story and analyze the situation.

AITAH- I choose my family

My parents always choose my brother. It’s been like this my entire life.

As a child, I never put them in the position to choose.

That kept the peace and also didn’t make me feel bad about myself.

I am a dependable child.

I show up and always do the right thing.

Sounds like a golden child/scapegoat kind of scenario.

This is where things get tricky. My brother married into an awful family.

Extremely entitled, snobby, and just very mean.

They have always hosted Thanksgiving and it’s just been something that my husband and I just go along with.

Family gatherings can be tough, and even more so with mean relatives.

Really I just go to keep my parents happy.

The last two Thanksgivings my sister’s in-laws father has been incredibly mean to my 5-year-old.

To the point where I reached out the day after Thanksgiving saying if this continues we will no longer celebrating holidays with them at all.

Her mother’s instincts seem to be kicking in.

We have seen them since and it’s been fine but it’s never been in their home and that’s when the father’s comfortable enough to be mean.

This Thanksgiving my husband and I decide to plan a local trip for our family.

We invite my parents and my brother’s family.

They all love the idea, but decline.

Their behavior here is quite odd.

Since my brother declined, my parents said that they “can’t pick between families” and of course picked my brothers.’

I expected it and I’m not even mad about it.

My husband and I booked our trip anyway.

We are not going to subject our children to a toxic Thanksgiving.

Well, today I got the group text message about Thanksgiving plans.

I sent a very friendly text back saying that we will be out of town etc… and now everyone is upset at me and blindsided although we have been discussing it for months.

They thought that because they declined the trip that we were not going on it.

We are!

AITA?

She is protecting her child and that’s always the right thing to do.

Let’s find out what Redditors are saying.

This reader drops a few warm wishes.

Another reader also wishes them fun on their trip.

Another commenter shares their opinion.

This reader encourages her to speak up more.

Someone defends her decision.

And someone shares how they dealt with a similar situation.

She protected her child from mean people and that will never be a bad decision.

Her family needs to learn there are consequences.

If you liked that story, read this one about grandparents who set up a college fund for their grandkid because his parents won’t, but then his parents want to use the money to cover sibling’s medical expenses.