A Foster Mom, a Bag of Skittles, and a Family Feud: Who’s Really the A**hole Here?
Picture this: You’re scrolling through Reddit, minding your own business, when suddenly you stumble upon a post that’s practically sizzling with drama. Seriously, pass the popcorn! Honey, let me tell you, this tale has everything—a rebellious foster daughter, Skittles mistaken for drugs, and a mother grappling with one monumental parenting dilemma. Buckle up and grab a seat, because based on a real Reddit post, this is one saga you won’t want to miss.
The Cast of Characters
Our fearless heroine? That would be 34-year-old Reddit user, let’s call her Mama Bear. She’s juggling two daughters: the biological 12-year-old Lyla, a shy wallflower who couldn’t harm a fly, and the foster daughter Mary, 13, a firecracker whose parents tragically overdosed on drugs. Let’s toss in one inciting incident that turns the household upside down—an anonymous tip to Lyla’s school, claiming she’s in possession of drugs. Plot thickens, right?
Baby, I’ve Got the Police on Speed Dial
Fast forward a few weeks and, lo and behold, the cops burst into Lyla’s school like they’re auditioning for “Law & Order: Skittles Division.” After rifling through her life—her locker, her bags, even her phone—what do they find? Skittles, darling. Yes, those colorful, chewy candies that no one, for the love of all that’s holy, could ever mistake for illicit substances.
Naturally, Lyla is shaken to her very core. The poor girl has a panic attack, fearing she’d be the next headline in “Preteen Crime Ring Busted Over Rainbow Candy.” And honestly, could we blame her?
The Real Whodunit: Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
When the dust settles, Lyla’s spidey senses are tingling. She suspects Mary because, well, who else had seen those forbidden fruit-tasting Skittles? After some intense 13-year-old-level interrogations, Mary cracks. She did it, folks. But hold your judgment! She claims it was out of fear—worrying that Lyla might tread the same tragic path as her birth parents.
Intent Vs. Impact: The Ultimate Showdown
Now, let’s insert Mama Bear back into this twisted narrative. She’s livid at Mary—but is she overreacting or is this understandable fury? Mama Bear makes one point crystal clear: If Mary had approached her first, Auntie Drama wouldn’t have even RSVP’d to this family reunion. That said, there were choices to be made, and Mary chose to go straight for the nuclear option—school authorities.
Sure, Mary’s decision was tinted with trauma and probably some underlying resentment. But here’s the kicker: Mary and Lyla had a tiff the week before because Lyla was, oh-so-coincidentally, spending time with Mary’s crush. Mmmm. Drama alert!
Punishment Fit the Crime? You Decide
So what’s a mom to do? Mama Bear went all medieval: grounded Mary, cut her allowance, ramped up her chores, and swiped her electronics for the entire summer. Mary didn’t take kindly to this, branding it excessive punishment for what she sincerely believed was a righteous act informed by her trauma. But Mama Bear stresses a crucial point: ignorance of consequences doesn’t grant you immunity from said consequences.
Roger’s Final Verdict: Sass & Judgment
Honey, if you’ve managed to chew through this rollercoaster of a story, let me hit you with Roger’s verdict. Look, Skittles shouldn’t bring the fuzz to your door, but Mary wasn’t exactly operating out of pure spite. Her actions were deeply rooted in fear and unresolved trauma. However, if she’d pulled out one of my classic moves—spill the tea to an adult first—none of this would’ve spiraled into such magnificent chaos.
Mama Bear, sweetie, I get where you’re coming from. You have a duty to instill some real good ol’ common sense into Mary. But honestly, grounding her for the whole summer? Whew. Overkill much? A teaching moment, not a punishment, could’ve fared better. Sometimes a chat over a strong cup of cocoa solves a lot more than a summer of chores. Roger knows.
So, who’s really the A**hole here? Maybe it’s just a matter of miscommunication and compounded stresses. One thing’s for sure—no one’s more dangerous than a teenager hopped up on fear and Skittles.
Until next time, keep it sassy, keep it real, and please, lock up your snacks.
Original story
I (34F) have been looking after my foster daughter “Mary” (13F) for over a year, ever since her parents overdosed on drugs. I also have a biological daughter “Lyla” (12F).
Mary and Lyla mostly get along, although there have been some minor arguments.
A few weeks ago, the police came to Lyla’s school. Someone had sent an anonymous message to the school saying that Lyla was in possession of drugs.
After searching through her phone, locker, and bags, they realized that the ‘drugs’ in question were skittles that Lyla had lying around in her bag accidentally ripping open the packaging. Lyla was terrified of the police and was traumatized by the incident.
She’s a very shy, quiet girl who had a panic attack at the thought of being sent to prison.
While they wouldn’t reveal who told on her, Lyla suspected that it was Mary since she was the only one who could have seen the skittles in her bag. Mary denied this at first, but eventually she snapped under pressure and admitted it.
She said she made a mistake and was scared that Lyla would overdose like her parents.
I know that Mary has trauma related to drugs. But that’s not an excuse.
I’ve made it very clear that she can come talk to me about anything, even if it involves Lyla, and yet she went to the school instead of telling me first. Mary said that she only went to the school in case I was biased towards Lyla.
She knew full well the legal ramifications of her actions — both of them could have potentially been removed from my care.
I can’t help but think her intentions are malicious, Skittles look absolutely nothing like drugs. She didn’t even talk to me or Lyla about it, she just went straight to the authorities.
So I decided to ground her, stop her allowance, increase her chores, and take away her electronics for the entire summer. She’s still upset with me for this, saying I went too far and I was punishing her for having trauma and trying to do the right thing.
But I feel like I have a duty to teach her that it’s not okay to potentially get our entire family into legal trouble over a misunderstanding. AITA?
EDIT: The reason I thought she had malicious intentions was because the week before, Mary “coincidentally“ started a large argument with Lyla for hanging out with Mary’s crush. Lyla eats candy all the time, especially skittles, and Mary knows that Skittles are her favorite.