Woman’s Family Arrives for a Party at Her Sister’s New Home, But When Her Child Is Denied Access to the Pool, an Unusual War Begins.

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In a seemingly innocent family gathering turned sour, the Original Poster (OP) finds herself in a dispute with her older sister Ava, stemming from Ava’s refusal to let OP’s youngest child swim in Ava’s new pool due to hygienic concerns. The conflict escalates dramatically as other family members seemingly side with Ava, further isolating OP.

A Joyful Reunion Turns Bitter

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OP, a woman in her thirties, eagerly takes her two kids to her older sister Ava’s recently purchased house for a family barbecue. The children are thrilled about the house’s large yard and swimming pool. Little did they know, the anticipation of a lovely day was about to be shattered.

A Wrench in the Plans

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While preparing her youngest child for the pool, OP is confronted by Ava, who expresses hygiene concerns about her nephew playing in the pool while still in diapers. OP is taken aback, considering this an unfair restriction.

Previous Promises

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OP is initially confused because she and her family were invited to come and swim. There was never any previous mention of only one of her children being included.

The Poolside Confrontation

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OP tries to reason with Ava, arguing that pool usage, whether public or private, usually involves both kids and adults who may accidentally pee in the pool. Ava ignores OP’s points, appearing condescending.

Design Issue

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Although OP’s son is already in the middle of potty training and not new to the concept, Ava persists. She claims that swim diapers, designed for the pool, are faulty when it comes to holding in pee. She uses this as her reasoning to restrict him from entering the pool.

A Child’s Disappointment

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Denied access to the pool, OP’s youngest son begins to cry. OP expresses her frustration to Ava, calling her cold. Ava responds accusingly, claiming OP is trying to guilt trip her, making things worse.

A Family Divided

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Seeking support, OP reveals the situation to her other family members. However, they advise OP to let it go, effectively siding with Ava. Feeling unheard and invalidated, OP senses an instant divide in the family.

A Premature Departure

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No longer feeling welcome, OP makes the difficult decision to leave the barbecue early. She leaves with her family, anger and disappointment casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a fun celebration.

The Hollow Apology

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The following day, Ava sends OP a message containing what feels like a non-apology, further infuriating OP. OP rejects Ava’s half-hearted sentiment, reiterating the damage done to her relationship with her nephew. The conflict seems far from a resolution.

A Clash of Words

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An angry exchange ensues, with Ava accusing OP of being dramatic. OP retaliates, accusing Ava of immaturity and emphasizing the validity of her anger. The argument reveals a deeper, underlying conflict between the sisters.

A Public Display of Discontent

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The private argument becomes public as Ava shares their heated exchange with the rest of the family. The resolution remains uncertain as OP feels isolated and misunderstood within her own family.

The Unresolved Argument

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Despite the shared messages and family discussions, no clear resolution has been reached. OP’s family continues to view her as overly dramatic, refusing to acknowledge her feelings of injustice.

Uncertain Future

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With attempts at reconciliation falling short and family unity at an all-time low, the future remains uncertain. This disagreement over a swimming pool seems to have unraveled deeply ingrained family issues. OP is left to pick up the pieces.

Was Leaving The Family Bar-B-Q Appropriate?

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The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “It doesn’t matter what disgusting things people may do in a public pool. She has every right not to want urine in her pool. You should have dropped it once you knew her response was no. You shouldn’t have gone tattling to your family.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote: “She could have told her this before the kid was already getting changed and avoided two adults and a child having a meltdown over it.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person states, “This isn’t a public pool. It’s her private pool at her house, and if she doesn’t want to risk having someone piss in it, she should be able to make that call without being argued with.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another viewpoint on the story: “She really should have let you know beforehand that only potty-trained kids were allowed in the pool. Of course, your kids were going to want to swim, and of course, you didn’t think it would be an issue. She should have given you a heads up so you could have prepared.”