AITAH for refusing to help my son cover up a prank that led to a school’s property damage?

A mother is at odds with her son and husband after refusing to help cover up a high school prank gone wrong. The prank, involving live chickens, led to significant property damage, and now the son faces disciplinary action. The mother insists on accountability, but her family thinks she’s being too harsh. Read the full story below to decide if she’s in the wrong…

‘ AITAH for refusing to help my son cover up a prank that led to a school’s property damage?’

My (45F) son (17M) and his friends pulled a prank at their high school that went way too far. They thought it would be funny to release a bunch of live chickens into the school as a senior prank. Unfortunately, the prank caused a lot of chaos and resulted in some significant property damage, including broken windows and damaged equipment.

My son came home panicking and asked me to help him come up with an alibi so he wouldn’t get in trouble. He admitted that he and his friends were the masterminds behind the prank. I was furious and told him that I wouldn’t help him lie. I believe he needs to take responsibility for his actions.

He’s now facing potential disciplinary action from the school, and he’s really upset with me for not having his back. He says that I’m being too harsh and that it was just a harmless prank that got out of hand.

My husband thinks I should have supported our son and helped him avoid trouble. I feel strongly that this is a valuable lesson in accountability, but I can’t shake the feeling that maybe I’m being too hard on him. AITAH?

See what others had to share with OP:

4011s −  There is a LOT missing here.. I raised chickens for a bit. They are NOT powerful enough to break a school’s window on their own, nor can they break equipment unless its extremely fragile to begin with.

Whatever you son and his friends DID do, it obviously went beyond just “releasing chickens” onto school property. NTA for not supporting his lies…he’s not telling the truth about what happened….or you aren’t.

mataliandy −  My brother and his friends pulled a similar (no chickens, but it resulted in property damage) prank when they were kids. All the parents were brought in for a discussion. Everyone by my parents tried to make excuses for their kids. My father said: “We all know they did it. How much is our share?” He pulled out his checkbook, paid it on the spot and walked out.

Then he made my brother get a job to pay him back. Dad was the least popular person in the neighborhood for a while, but the school got fixed, and all the kids got permanent after-school detention for the subsequent semester, instead of being suspended or expelled, which is what would have happened, otherwise.

SkyGlimmer19 −  For context, my son has never been in trouble before and is generally a good kid. However, I believe that actions have consequences, and shielding him from those consequences won’t help him learn or grow. I’m trying to teach him the importance of owning up to his mistakes

CreativeMusic5121 −  *He’s now facing potential disciplinary action from the school*. Good. He should. This wasn’t a “prank”, which is something silly that causes no damage. He vandalized the school, AND was guilty of animal abuse.

That isn’t funny, by any stretch of the imagination. Your husband is a j**k, and that’s possibly why your son did something so destructive to begin with. You are NTA. You are being a responsible parent.

mindbird −  NTAH, but what happened to the poor chickens?

No-Diamond-5097 −  Those must be some strong ass chickens if they broke windows. In all seriousness, are you prepared to pay for the damages? That could be a pricey lesson for you both.

JuliaX1984 −  NTA Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. If you cover for him now, you’ll be covering for him for a much worse crime in a few years.

mattbnet −  You did help your son, he just doesn’t realize it yet. My dad was similarly helpful to me when I got into trouble at 17 and I didn’t realize until later that it was an important lesson for me.

FragrantOpportunity3 −  Property damage and animal abuse? Not a harmless prank.

frozenbroccolis −  NTA and thank you for teaching your son that actions have consequences. He might not appreciate it right now but this will serve him later in life. You have a husband problem; not only does he not support you but his behaviour is going to make you look like the “bad guy” to your son.

Do you think the mother is right to hold her ground, or should she have supported her son, even if it meant bending the truth? How would you handle a situation where accountability clashes with family loyalty? Share your thoughts below!