Holiday traditions are important for families.

This woman’s ex suddenly informed her of a last-minute Christmas trip out of state with their children.

They had been broken up for years, and he hadn’t paid child support for a long time.

So now, she’s deciding whether she’ll allow the trip or not.

Read the full story below and share your thoughts.

Aitah because I won’t let my ex take our kids out of state to Christmas.

My ex (36M) told me (46F) that his mother decided today that she was buying tickets for him, herself, and his three kids.

Our 18M stepson, and our 7M and 9F children.

They would go to another state for Christmas.

This woman and her ex-husband had been broken up for years.

A little background: we have been broken up for years.

I am originally from the Northeast, and though he is from down here in the South, his mom is from the north-central U.S.

I make it a habit during the summertime to try to visit my family once a year.

He doesn’t visit his mom’s family.

He hasn’t paid child support for more than 2 years.

He hasn’t paid child support in 2.5 years.

He thinks we are just using him for a paycheck.

He cheated on me with a 24F former employee of his in 2020.

And then decided to move with her and her other boyfriend to Texas (not the state he wants to take the kids to).

He did this to avoid arrest because he owes me $24,000 and my stepson’s mom about $20,000 in arrears.

He now informs her that his mom plans to take the children out for Christmas.

So as I said, today, two weeks before Christmas, he told me he was going to take them out of state.

Because his mom has some extra money and wants to go.

There was no communication or thought of this before today.

He needs my permission, and I am finding out with his arrears if he can even leave state lines with the children.

Legally, he may not be able to.

But Christmas is her only day off.

My issue is Christmas.

I work 65 hours a week, and that’s my only day off to be with my children.

His mom helps out a lot.

He isn’t here, and with the lack of child support, I don’t have a choice.

If I am at work and they are not in school, she has them.

Now, she’s wondering if she should stop him from taking their kids out for the holiday.

But AITAH if I put my foot down?

And stop him from taking them on the holiday?

Even though I had said I’d be okay if it were after Christmas.

Let’s check out the comments of other people on this story.

This user is confused.

This one has a legit question.

Here’s a personal thought from this user.

You don’t get a vote, says this one.

Sometimes, saying “no” is the best gift you can give yourself and your kids.

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.