Having a small child is tough because their feelings and actions are so volatile. Most parents pick their battles.

But not all parents agree with what battles are chosen.

She why this couple are at odds about their baby daughter.

AITA for holding my toddler throughout an event she wasn’t enjoying?

I recently went to a fall fair with my wife “Sarah” and our 1 year old daughter “Viola.”

Viola is only about 14 months, so she doesn’t really know how to play with other kids quite yet and we’re obviously still working on her speech.

Dad didn’t have success at the fair.

She’s coming along, but just seems to have a quieter personality.

When we arrived at the fair, Viola was not having it. She wanted to bury her face into my shoulder and cling to me for dear life.

I tried to get her to participate in some activities, but she was fussy and not interested.

I knew that pushing would make her more upset (and risk a very public meltdown), so I decided to let it go.

Mom strongly disagreed.

This did not go over well with Sarah.

She was mad about Viola being in my arms because “she needs to learn to socialize.”

She also said I was “letting her be a Daddy’s girl” and “not teaching her to face her fears.” Sarah says I was coddling Viola too much.

AITA for holding my toddler during an event she wasn’t enjoying?

Here is what people are talking about.

I’m glad my mom wasn’t like her. Yikes.

They need to do things in their own time.

I don’t get why so many parents don’t understand this.

Good! It’s outrageous.

Many adults even find fairs overwhelming!

I wonder if the mom was abused or something as a child.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a daughter who invited herself to her parents’ 40th anniversary vacation for all the wrong reasons.