A family is dealing with a difficult situation involving the legal guardianship of a 7-year-old boy who has intermittent explosive disorder, a condition that causes sudden, intense episodes of anger and aggression. The child's mother, Hannah, has asked her aunt and the aunt’s husband to become legal guardians of the boy in the event of an emergency involving Hannah and her husband. However, the aunt has declined the request, explaining that she and her husband already have two young children, one of whom has special needs, and they feel they are not equipped to care for a child with behavioral challenges. She mentioned that the boy has had violent outbursts since he was a toddler, including hitting, kicking, biting, and throwing objects. Hannah was deeply upset by the aunt's refusal. She expressed frustration, saying that the aunt is her "last hope" and that if something were to happen to her and her husband, the aunt would be responsible if the boy ends up in an institution. The aunt explained that other family members had also turned down the responsibility, highlighting that this is not an isolated situation. In response to the conflict, the Care and Feeding advice column weighed in, stating that the aunt has every right to say no and that it is unfair for Hannah to expect a positive answer or to react with anger if it is not given. The column advised the aunt to respond with a compassionate "I hope that doesn't happen" rather than engaging in further discussion. It also suggested that the aunt should not feel guilty for declining the responsibility and should focus on her own family's needs and challenges. The situation underscores the complex emotions involved in making decisions about a child's future, particularly when there are mental health considerations. It also highlights the importance of setting boundaries and acknowledging the realistic limitations of those being asked to take on such a significant responsibility.