My [33F] husband [34M] played a cruel prank on our son. How do I get him to make this up to him?

A Reddit user shares her frustration and heartbreak after her husband played a cruel prank on their 7-year-old son. The child, excited to open what he believed was a PS5 Pro, found only rocks and a t-shirt inside. While the mother insists her husband make amends, he dismisses her concerns, arguing that their son should feel lucky for his attention. Read the full story below:

‘ My [33F] husband [34M] played a cruel prank on our son. How do I get him to make this up to him?’

We have been married for 8 years and have a 7 year old son. They are both truly joys in my life and we get along well most of the time. We have a tradition that a week before Christmas, we would open a present early.

Our son has been talking on and on about how he wanted the ps5 pro and I assumed that my husband would get that covered as I already spent my money on other christmas gifts for him and the rest of of our family. Our son opened the big box that was presented and the box said ps5 pro.

The weight was even pretty similar to a box with the ps5 pro. When he opened it up though, all he saw were rocks and a t-shirt that said no.1 dad. I was furious but my husband was laughing and said that he used his friend’s ps5 pro box to pull off this prank.

I insisted he make this up but he fired back and said thst our son should be grateful at all that he gets paid attention to as many fathers are deadbeats.
How do I get him to make this up to him?

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

annatotherescue −  „Other fathers are deadbeats“ wow what a great dad, he’s not a deadbeat, he pays attention to his son… I don’t like pranks like this. The only outcome is that the kid is sad and the dad laughs.

No 1 dads don’t do pranks like that. I would return the gifs for the husband and get your son the ps5 from the money. I mean your husband should be grateful that you’re paying attention to him he doesn’t need a gift…

Jen5872 −  Return any gifts you got your husband and buy your son a PS5. Then give your husband a box with a stupid Tshirt and some rocks 

According-Health8678 −  Is the PS5 coming later?

god-of-hunger −  Idk about that deadbeat dad comment. Having a b**ly as a dad sounds like it sucks too. There are so many more constructive ways to say “I can’t get a PS5 for you” instead of gifting something so selfish

njoy59 −  This man is the Joy of your life????

ThatsItImOverThis −  Your husband is a j**k. That was absolutely a cruel joke and the only one who was going to find it funny was your husband. He doesn’t care about your son’s feelings, he’s more upset that you didn’t think his prank was clever. I feel bad for your kid, having a dad like that.

BookReader1328 −  I can’t help but hear Chris Rock saying “You’re SUPPOSED to take care of your kids.” Your husband’s parenting bar is so low it’s sad. I don’t think there’s anything you can do to make him a better human being. Good luck.

coastalkid92 −  So two things here: 1. You and your husband need to be in alignment about Christmas presents and what is or isn’t appropriate for a 7 year old. A PS5 pro is a very expensive console for a young child and you two likely should have tempered expectations with kiddo in a more reasonable way.

2. Jokes need to be funny and in good nature for everyone involved and that’s what your husband needs to understand. Your 7 year old doesn’t really have the logic and critical thinking skills to understand what is or isn’t a reasonable gift ask from mom and dad or Santa unless you two guide him there. And since you guys didn’t address it, it feels particularly mean.

Sweet-Sleep3004 −  And worse this is a 7 year old son who’ll always remember this moment. His dad let him down, I am sure if your husband couldn’t afford the PS5 and your son was told this, he be OK with it but to make him feel he got it and his world just shattered like that is just awful.

You can never make someone do something. The only thing you can do is change your actions and how you approach this. You talk to your son and tell him you hear him and know how upset he is right now. Also tell him pranks especially ones like this is not OK. That you’re also hurting for him. And he should never pull pranks either as he knows how hurtful they’re.

You need to rethink if this man is what you want your son to have a role model. You obviously have other underlying issues as you state that things are OK most of the time. You need to rethink if the good really do outweigh the bad. Is this someone you want to move forward with.

Good fathers don’t b**ly or prank their children like this. They’re supportive and loving. They’re spending quality time and show their children what kind of man they need to grow into. Go and do mom and son bonding time with your son on the run up to Christmas and leave that POS at home. 

Wyldjay2 −  That was a d**k move by your husband. Kids remember that kind of s**t forever.

This situation underscores the importance of fostering trust and joy in family traditions, especially for young children. How should parents handle playful jokes without crossing the line into hurtful behavior? What steps can this father take to rebuild his son’s trust and mend the situation? Share your thoughts below!