My Brother Took Our Boys to a Classic Childhood Rite of Passage. Now One of Them Is Too Scared to Sleep Alone.

"I get both of your perspectives here. Your wife is likely frustrated by having to now deal with your younger son's fears from something he didn't have to be exposed to in the first place. And you, knowing your brother, understand that he was just in fun uncle mode: taking his nephews to do something he thought was entertaining-maybe even something he loved when he was a kid himself. The key here, and what was missing, is communication."

"My wife is causing a family rift over something I think she is blowing way out of proportion. My brother "Caleb" took our two boys, ages 6 and 9, out for the day last Saturday while we attended a friend's engagement party. Caleb ended up taking the kids to a haunted house attraction, and our younger son got a little freaked out and has been afraid to sleep in his room by himself since."

Brother Caleb took two boys, ages 6 and 9, to a haunted-house attraction while the parents attended an engagement party. The younger son became frightened and has been afraid to sleep alone since. The mother is furious with Caleb and wants to forbid him from watching the kids again. The father believes the reaction is temporary and that Caleb meant well as a playful uncle. Both perspectives are understandable, and the central issue is a lack of prior communication and consent. Prior notification would have allowed parents to veto the outing and avoid the ensuing family conflict.

Read at Slate Magazine