As parents, if you buy a special treat for one child, does that mean you have to buy a special treat for every child?

The kids in today’s story seem to think so, and their parents disagree on the answer.

Let’s read all the details to see if the dad messed up by only getting a special treat for one child.

AITA for buying a treat for my oldest daughter but not her younger brother and sister?

My (39m) wife (40f) and I have three children (10f, 8m, 7f.)

A few afternoons ago our oldest had a dentist’s appointment, and I agreed to take her while my wife took care of the other two.

Our oldest has always struggled at the dentist.

Her mother and I have worked with her on this and we’ve found a dentist who is really good with kids who are afraid of going to the dentist.

He wanted to reward his daughter.

She did really well this time; easily the most smooth experience we’d ever had there.

Since she did so well, I decided to reward her on the way home, so I went to a Culver’s drive thru and bought her a shake.

I got one for myself, as well.

When we got home, my other two children began to complain that they didn’t get ice cream, saying that it was “unfair.”

He explained his reasoning.

I told them that this was just how things worked out this day; that their sister had to go through something unpleasant, but that she’d done a good job.

That next time I had to take either of them out for something similar that they’d probably get a treat too.

Later, however–when it was just the two of us–my wife told me that she thought it looked as if I was playing favorites, that of course the other two kids would object, and that I should have bought treats for everyone.

But I don’t agree; I think it’s fine for our kids to realize that just because one kid gets something doesn’t always mean they all have to.

AITA?

Life isn’t always fair. It’s easy to see both sides of this story.

Let’s see how Reddit responded.

There wouldn’t have been a problem if they hadn’t brought the milkshakes home.

This person thinks the wife is wrong.

Another person thinks there’s a bigger problem here than milkshakes.

He should’ve known the other kids would be jealous.

Who wouldn’t be jealous of a milkshake?

But dad could have avoided this easily.

If you liked this post, you might want to read this story about a teacher who taught the school’s administration a lesson after they made a sick kid take a final exam.