AITAH for Enjoying Watching My Son Use the Dullest Tool I Own and Wearing Himself Out
Hi! My first time posting and I thought y'all might enjoy this story.
I am not quite sure where to begin, but let me give you a little context of why I find this story humorous, but quite likely makes me the AH - and I don't care.
I, 62 f, am fairly independent and resilient individual. I have always enjoyed what is perceived as "guy" things more than "girl" things. At my age that presented a problem when I was younger. My Ex, 58 m, has taken a few sneers and verbal beatings over the years because he is not a "manly" man. So, yeah, the power tools are mine, and he provided a good living that an IT Nerd can do. So, you get the picture, I was the tomboy that grew up and didn't outgrow it -- right down to working in a man's field for my career. I drive a bougie man's 4WD Ram truck made to run around oil fields, and he drives a bright green 4D Hardtop Mini. It worked for us, and still does.
Our youngest son, 37m, comes over to help us move some dirt around the backyard and fix the landmines that my two large dogs dug and unload my truck with a large tree stump and logs. Sadly, he subscribes to the manosphere for his worldview; he and I somewhat enjoy poking each other (mostly good natured) about our opposing worldviews. It took me years to figure out where he got it from.
So, back to today. It started out with him asking if he needed to back MY truck up into my yard. I just ignored him, but I heard my Ex tell him, "Are you kidding?" So, there were lot's of fun sexist comments from him about me learning greenwood carving and woodworking. We go along digging and doing our work and he hits a small root (2" or so) and I had three tools that easily would have made shortwork of it. I told him I had it and he proceeded to laugh as he went to the shed and got the doubleheaded axe that has never been used (let alone sharpened) the entire time we've owned it (that is a whole different story).
So, I proceeded to stand back and just "supervise" with the straightest face possible as the axe just bounced off the root and he was building up a sweat (and cussing at the root). Because, you know, I wasn't going to miss this show. I asked a couple of times if he wanted me to do it and he was like, "Noooo!" Okay then. I smiled mostly internally as he proceeded to spend 30 minutes beating that root to a pulp (it is a small tree that's going to be cut down) and finally made it through after a lot of effort.
I am walking over to the neighbors (we were fillings holes my dog made) and my Ex is asking me why I am laughing and I said, "that I just let him used the dullest tool in the shed when I could have been nice enough to walk into the house and get one of my razor sharp axes for him to use. And, I don't feel guilty one little bit."
So, AITAH -- probably, but I am going to wear that badge proudly because karma.
Posted Apr 8, 2026, 2:53 AM UTC