AITA for refusing the pay for dental fees after a kid broke his teeth on a macadamia nut?

My friend June recently brought her son Steven over to my house, and things took an unexpected turn when Steven, 8 years old, tried to eat a macadamia nut with its shell on—mistaking it for a chocolate treat. He cracked one of his molars, and while it was his first set of teeth and will fall out soon anyway, June expects me to pay for at least half of his dental expenses, claiming that it was my macadamia nut left in an accessible place. However, I’m questioning whether I’m truly responsible for this mishap.

‘AITA for refusing the pay for dental fees after a kid broke his teeth on a macadamia nut?’

According to child psychologist Dr. Jennifer Miller, when it comes to children’s safety in others’ homes, supervision is key. “Parents are responsible for ensuring their children understand boundaries and the difference between what’s theirs and what belongs to others,” says Dr. Miller. In this case,

Steven’s actions—going into someone else’s belongings and eating something not meant for him—show a lack of supervision and boundaries. Dr. Miller emphasizes that while accidents happen, it’s not appropriate for the host to shoulder the financial burden when the child’s behavior and lack of supervision are to blame.

Check out how the community responded:

Here are some hot takes from the Reddit community—candid and unfiltered. One redditor noted, “Why wasn’t she supervising her child? If he’s old enough to know better, it’s on his mom.” Another user sarcastically suggested, “Counter-sue for the cost of the nut—macadamias are ridiculously expensive these days!” A third comment highlighted,

“He went into someone else’s Tupperware and hurt himself; that’s not my fault. Babysitting isn’t included when you visit someone’s home.” Finally, a popular comment summed it up perfectly: “If he’d tried eating the kitchen counter, I wouldn’t be picking up the bill. Responsibility lies with the parent, period.”

This incident serves as a reminder that while accidents are an inevitable part of life, they also highlight where responsibilities truly lie. In my case, Steven’s mishap with the macadamia nut was a direct result of his unsupervised behavior—a lapse that falls on his mother, not on me as a host. While I sympathize with the inconvenience of unexpected dental fees, fairness dictates that the responsibility should remain with the parent.

What do you think? Should hosts ever be held liable for mishaps that occur under a friend’s supervision, or does the onus squarely rest with the parents? Share your thoughts and experiences below—your insights might help others navigate similar situations with clarity and fairness.