AITA for Calling My Dad Stupid After He Suggested Using a “Paper Towel” So I Could Swim on My Period?
This post is a mix of frustration, misunderstanding, and a young woman just trying to deal with her period on a family holiday. OP, a 15-year-old girl, finds herself in an uncomfortable — and frankly, ridiculous — situation when her dad suggests she could just use a “paper towel” to go swimming during her period. What started as a supportive gesture (her dad offering to take her go-karting while the rest of the family went to a water park) quickly turned into an emotional slap when he changed his plans last minute and implied she was being difficult for not just “sucking it up.”
Her reaction? She called the idea stupid — and got the door slammed in her face. The fallout was a silent day stuck in a caravan while the rest of the family went off to have fun, leaving her alone and angry. So now she’s wondering — was it wrong to react that way? Was she just hormonal and lashing out? Or did her dad genuinely cross a line by invalidating her experience?
Even a hero-dad’s well-meaning advice about puberty can sometimes be spectacularly, hilariously wrong
After a teen got her period on vacation, her dad valiantly bailed on their waterpark plans for go-karting instead
Okay, let’s not sugarcoat it — being on your period during a holiday is already annoying enough. You’re cramping, bloated, bleeding, and just trying to exist while everyone else is splashing around like it’s no big deal. Add to that your dad — someone who should be your support system — suddenly flipping the script and suggesting something as absurd as using a paper towel in place of a tampon or pad?
Yeah… “bruh” doesn’t even cover it.
🩸 Period Talk: Let’s Get Real
Here’s the thing — periods aren’t some wild mystery. But they’re still heavily misunderstood, especially by people who’ve never had one (read: most dads). A pad works by absorbing flow, but they’re not waterproof. If you go into a pool wearing a pad, it fills with water. It’s useless. Tampons or menstrual cups are usually the only way to swim on your period comfortably, and even then — only if you’re ready.
And “paper towel” as a solution? That’s like putting a band-aid on a waterfall. It’s not just ineffective, it’s incredibly unsanitary. Pools have chlorine, but they don’t sterilize paper pulp inside your body. That’s a fast track to infection and discomfort.
Not to mention — using tampons when you’re not ready (emotionally or physically) is a real thing. Many teens take time to get used to the idea, especially if they haven’t had proper sex ed. For someone to suggest just forcing a new method, or worse — a DIY one — is not only ignorant but low-key dangerous.
🤦♂️ Dad Was Trying… But Failed
Let’s give the dad a little grace. He wasn’t trying to be mean. He was misinformed. He reached out to “female friends” (probably his girlfriend), and got some terrible advice. In his head, he was trying to find a solution so his daughter wouldn’t “miss out.” The problem is — he didn’t listen to her.
This is a classic example of male well-meaning ignorance. Instead of just saying, “Hey, I don’t understand periods — can you tell me what you need?”, he went the “here’s a solution you didn’t ask for” route. Which is a great way to make someone feel dismissed, especially when they’re already uncomfortable.
And let’s be honest — being a teen girl on your period is like having a billboard on your body saying “handle with care.” Hormones, cramps, social pressure — it’s a lot. So when your dad tells you that you’re “choosing not to go” or “making a big deal out of nothing,” yeah, it hurts.
💬 Was Calling Him Stupid Over the Line?
Maybe the word “stupid” was a little harsh. But emotions were high. You’re not just calling him names for fun — you’re reacting to the sheer absurdity of the situation. Honestly, calling the idea stupid is different than calling him stupid. And you made that clear: “the paper towel is a stupid idea.” You didn’t say “you’re an idiot.”
He, however, responded like you insulted his entire being and stormed off — slamming doors, going radio silent. That’s not okay. Adults need to model emotional regulation, especially when their kids are vulnerable.
You didn’t scream. You didn’t cuss him out. You used a snappy word for a truly dumb suggestion — and let’s be honest — it was dumb.
🏖️ The Bigger Issue: Being Left Behind
Let’s zoom out. This isn’t just about the paper towel. It’s about feeling left behind and discarded.
You were promised an alternative — go-karting. Your dad offered it. You didn’t ask. He brought it up because he knew you couldn’t join in the water activities, and it was a nice gesture. But then, when pressure came from his girlfriend and younger daughter, he chose them. Last-minute. At night. Too late for you to do anything else.
That’s the real betrayal.
It’s not selfish to feel upset about that. It’s not about controlling the day — it’s about keeping a promise and being emotionally available for your child when they’re having a hard time.
🧠 Bonus: His Apology Message
That message you got from him later? Honestly, that’s a green flag. He realized he messed up, did some research, and came back with something resembling accountability. He admitted he didn’t understand, took advice, and wants to be better.
That doesn’t erase the hurt, but it’s a big step. And it shows that he cares enough to learn, which is more than a lot of parents do.
He said, “I can’t help unless you let me” — that’s his way of opening the door. If you feel safe, have that chat. Let him know it wasn’t just about the pad vs. tampon debate. It was about feeling like your needs didn’t matter when someone else got loud.
The internet applauded the dad’s apology, calling it a masterclass in how to admit you’re wrong
- No, you’re not the A-hole.
- Period pain + broken promises = emotional explosion. That’s normal.
- Paper towels don’t belong in pools OR in vaginas.
- Your dad made a mistake, but he seems willing to learn from it.
Hopefully, this becomes one of those stories you can laugh about later. But for now, you’ve got every right to feel hurt and to set your boundaries. You’re not “making things about you” — you’re just asking to be heard and respected. And that’s not too much to ask.