Imagine running late, trying to get ready to go out. But when you throw in autism, strict religious expectations, and a father with a very short temper, things can go from frustrating to downright tense.
Today’s Original Poster (OP) shared an intriguing story of how their father made their brother pay back for a speeding ticket which he received after hurrying to get to church on time.
More info:Reddit
RELATED:
Getting ready for church in this family is like packing for a trip five minutes before the flight—chaotic and filled with yelling
Image credits:Ahmet Kurt / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The author’s brother is autistic and usually takes some time getting ready on his own until someone steps in to help
Image credits:throwralying12
Image credits:rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The father blamed the rest of the family for delaying him after receiving a speeding ticket on their way to church
Image credits:anna_ostanina / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits:ksandrphoto / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits:freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Through all of this, the author’s mom basically keeps the home together, and the father says it is her responsibility
The author is frustrated with the changes, especially the forced family Bible study, but hopes that it’ll stop at some point
The author is upset, as they are forced to pretend to be more interested in church than their personal hobbies
The OP’s 11 year-oldbrotherhas autism and other special needs and usually needs extra time to get dressed and washed up. Their mom usually helps him, but this often leads to frustration, especially from their dad.
One Sunday morning, the family found themselves in the middle of a tense situation when they struggled to get ready for church on time. The OP’s dad was upset about being late to church, and after receiving a speeding ticket, he blamed the family for making him late.
He yelled at both the mom and brother when they returned, even though the delay was out of their control. This wasn’t an isolated incident, though. The father was upset that the rest of the family wasn’t prioritizing church, and decided to take action.
The dad also stopped giving the brother hisallowance, saying it would go toward paying for the ticket. Over the following week, he kept his word. The brother missed basketball class on Saturday, and he didn’t receive his allowance for two weeks.
In a family meeting after dinner, the OP’s dad explained that the speeding ticket wasn’t the main issue. Instead, he believed the family wasn’t putting God first, which was why activities like basketball were becoming more important than church.
Dream Big Childrenacknowledgethat effective time management is an important skill for everyone, but is typically more difficult for individuals with autism. According to them, establishing a consistent routine like using visual schedules helps to structure daily activities.
Conversely, imposing rigid control—like religion—on children, especially ones with special needs, is a dangerous thing to do. According toMSN, forcing religion on children can lead to unintended consequences. It may weaken one’s personal belief, as faith is supposed to grow naturally, not through coercion.
Strict rules and punishments can also create fear as opposed to real faith, leaving children feeling controlled andresentfultoward both the parent and the religion. It also often results in a surface-level faith, where religion becomes a routine rather than a meaningful practice, potentially damaging long-term connections to spirituality.
In addition to this, The Leaf Wing Centeremphasizesthat understanding what motivates one’s autistic child is essential for fostering growth. Motivation can come from various sources, like specific activities, environments, or rewards, and these can differ greatly from child to child.
Once these motivators can be identified,parentscan create strategies to then encourage engagement and their development. If the OP’s father noticed the son’s excitement for basketball, it could have served as a positive tool for supporting his progress, rather than it being a point of contention.
Netizens questioned the father’s actions, stating that his resolve to make his son pay for the ticket was unreasonable, with many feeling that his priorities are very misguided.
They also showed concern for the emotional well-being of the children as well as the long-term effects of the father’s actions, especially regarding his relationship with his children and their faith.
Netizens strongly disapproved of the father’s decisions, particularly regarding the speeding ticket and his harsh treatment on the family
Thanks! Check out the results:Rugile Baltrunaite
Indrė Lukošiūtė
Dominyka
Relationships
