Mom of a 2-Year-Old With Allergies Sent Her Ex His First Visitation Bag With Pull-Ups, Clothes, Cups, and an EpiPen — He Asked Where the EpiPen Was, She Photographed It in the Bag, and He Now Argues That Because the Prescription Is the Child’s She Has to Keep Providing It Even Though He Won’t Pay $170/Month in Court-Ordered Support

In a recent story shared on Reddit, a young mother, 27, recounted her struggles with her ex-husband, 31, regarding the care of their two young children, ages 2 and 4, particularly focusing on their daughter’s severe allergies. The couple’s relationship had ended under difficult circumstances, including allegations of abuse and his unwillingness to work, which had forced her to establish primary custody after a court ruling. Under the order, the father was granted supervised visitation every other Saturday, but things quickly spiraled into confusion and tension when it came to the practicalities of caring for their daughter.

As the first visitation approached, the mother took the initiative to prepare a bag for the kids, ensuring it included essentials like pull-ups for her potty-training daughter, a change of clothes, and their cups. Knowing the daughter had specific allergies, she made it clear to her ex that he needed to understand these requirements. He showed some concern, questioning whether the necessary supplies would already be included in the bag. She assured him that she would send the essentials but emphasized that he would need to provide these items in future visits.

Things took a turn for the worse after the visit. Upon picking up her daughter, the mother noticed a rash starting to form on her skin. Concerned, she asked her daughter what she had eaten while at her father’s place. The father responded but then bewilderingly inquired about the whereabouts of their daughter’s EpiPen, a critical medication due to her allergies. The mother, wanting to clarify the situation, immediately checked the bag and found the EpiPen was indeed included. To prove her point, she even took a photograph of it in the bag. Despite this evidence, the father maintained that it was missing.

Frustrated at his refusal to acknowledge the truth, the mother explained that moving forward, he would need to be responsible for providing his own supplies, including an EpiPen during his visitation. Her reasoning was simple: it wasn’t about withholding care; she just wanted him to be accountable for the child’s needs when they were in his care. To her ex, however, this was more than just an issue of responsibility—he argued that since the EpiPen was a prescription specifically for their daughter, it was her mother’s obligation to provide it. This argument didn’t sit well with her; she believed both parents should equally contribute to their children’s wellbeing.

The situation was further complicated by the history between them. She had left the relationship due to various forms of abuse, and since their separation, navigating co-parenting had proven to be a challenging endeavor. The father was not only struggling with employment but appeared to have no plans to seek a job. During court proceedings, when a judge ordered him to pay $170 a month in child support—which he questioned the consequences of failing to pay—the mother’s patience had already been tested. Now, she felt that he should not only fulfill his financial obligations but also step up in practical ways as a parent.

In her Reddit post, the mother was transparent about her intentions, noting she still planned to send the EpiPen each time but wanted to see her ex take responsibility for more items needed during his visitation. She hoped for feedback from the community and was eager to hear others’ thoughts on whether she was being unreasonable. Overall, she just wanted her ex to take on a more active role in his children’s lives, especially concerning their health and safety.

Ultimately, this dispute reflected larger themes in co-parenting relationships, particularly when one parent struggles to meet obligations while the other is left to manage the day-to-day complexities of raising children. The mother’s firm stance on needing her ex to be more proactive in providing for their children’s needs resonates with many who have faced similar challenges in shared custody situations.