Imagine planning a day trip to a fun city for your daughter’s birthday and letting her bring 3 friends with her. If one of those friends wanted to go home early, would you cut your plans short to bring her home, or would you go ahead with your daughter’s birthday plans?

In this story, one mom finds herself in this situation, and she isn’t sure if she handled the situation well or not.

Let’s read the whole story to decide.

AITA for not bringing my daughter’s friend home and making her parents get her?

My daughter and I live about an hour outside NYC. Since she was a baby, I’ve taken her there most weekends. As she got older, she occasionally brought friends.

They always know the rules: bring a bag with things for the train, carry your own stuff, stick together, expect lots of walking, and have fun. Phones are fine, but I encourage screen-free activities.

I always speak to parents beforehand and emphasize the walking, we sometimes walk 45 minutes or more.

They recently went on one of these trips to NYC.

For her 12th birthday last weekend, she wanted to go to the city with friends, visit favorite spots, have dinner, and maybe see a show.

My mom helped pay for tickets and joined us.

My daughter invited three girls: two longtime friends who know the routine and a new friend, “Leah.”

I called Leah’s mom, explained the rules, warned about the walking, and suggested Leah bring something for the train since the signal is bad.

Leah’s mom said she was excited.

My daughter also explained expectations.

Leah didn’t really understand what this trip would be like.

On the train, Leah brought only her phone, got bored when the signal cut out, refused to chat or play games with the others, and complained.

When we arrived, she immediately asked for a cab.

My daughter reminded her we walk.

As we browsed shops, Leah kept whining and asking for a cab.

I stayed patient, offered water and snack breaks, and even suggested the subway to be nice, but she refused when she learned what it was.

Leah was NOT enjoying the trip.

A few hours in, we stopped for dinner at a place with options for everyone.

Leah complained again and said she wanted to go home.

I pulled her aside to check if she was sick or upset; she just said it was boring.

I told her we’d be there a few more hours for the show, but if she wanted to leave, she could call her mom.

Eventually, Leah got her way.

Leah called, and her mom asked me to bring her back.

Even if my mom or I left with Leah and took a train back after we dropped her off, we’d miss the show, and my daughter wanted both of us there.

I explained we wouldn’t head back until after the show.

Leah’s mom didn’t want to pay for a train ticket or drive. She eventually sent Leah’s dad, who picked her up before the show.

Leah stayed crabby through dinner.

She’s not sure if she handled it well or not.

Afterward, Leah’s mom trashed me to the other moms.

But they backed me up, saying they wouldn’t expect me to cut the trip short unless a child was sick or hurt (which I would do).

Now Leah’s mom won’t let her hang out with my daughter.

I can’t help wondering if I should’ve just sucked it up and taken her home.

AITA?

It’s her daughter’s birthday trip with friends. No, she shouldn’t abandon her own daughter on her birthday just to take a whiny friend home. Leah was out of line for almost ruining her friend’s birthday.

Let’s see how Reddit reacted to this story.

Leah doesn’t sound like a great friend.

This person calls Leah spoiled and entitled.

A mom of a teen weighs in.

Leah really should’ve stopped complaining for the sake of her friend.

At least the other moms stood up for her!

There’s no loss in losing a friend who complains on your birthday.

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.