"AITA for throwing away the elf on the shelf and "ruining Christmas" for my kids after my husband's prank?"

Based on the situation described, it seems clear that the OP (F35) is not the A-hole in this scenario.

The conflict arose over the use of the Elf on the Shelf tradition, where the husband (Miles, M37) took pranks too far, causing distress to the children. Initially, the Elf was intended to foster Christmas magic, but Miles escalated the pranks to a point where it upset the children. This included drawing on Lucas’ face with markers and ruining Claire’s favorite onesie. The final straw was when Miles deliberately ruined Andy’s birthday cake as a prank involving the Elf, causing Andy to cry.

The OP’s decision to throw away the Elf on the Shelf, named Bob, was a direct response to Miles’ inappropriate prank that ruined Andy’s special day. This action was fueled by a desire to protect her children from further distress caused by Miles’ excessive prankster behavior. While Miles criticized the OP for “ruining Christmas” by disposing of Bob, it was his own actions that led to this outcome.

In the aftermath, the OP separated from Miles temporarily, choosing to stay with her parents along with the children. She made efforts to salvage Christmas for the kids by ensuring they felt special and loved despite the unfortunate incident with Bob. The OP’s actions were driven by her concern for her children’s well-being and her responsibility to maintain a positive and loving atmosphere during the holiday season.

Overall, the OP’s response was justified considering the circumstances and her primary concern for her children’s emotional welfare. Miles’ insistence on pranking crossed boundaries and undermined the spirit of the holidays, leading to the OP taking decisive action to protect her children from further harm. Therefore, she is not the A-hole in this situation.

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