AITA for giving my MIL a fake copy of my house key and “exposing” her on Christmas dinner?
A Redditor (34F) shares an incident that happened during Christmas dinner involving her mother-in-law (MIL) and husband. After her MIL repeatedly asked for a spare key to their new house, the Redditor gave her a fake one, as she didn’t trust her due to past incidents where the MIL walked in on the couple while being intimate.
When MIL confronted her about the fake key at Christmas dinner, the Redditor pointed out that her MIL had broken her promise not to use it unless in an emergency, leading to MIL having an emotional outburst. The Redditor’s husband is now upset, accusing her of humiliating his mother and ruining Christmas.
‘Â AITA for giving my MIL a fake copy of my house key and “exposing” her on Christmas dinner?’
Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:
Was the Redditor justified in giving her MIL a fake key after her prior behavior, or did she go too far in calling her out at Christmas dinner? How would you handle a similar situation with an overbearing in-law? Share your thoughts below!
NTA. Here’s the easy way to end the situation. Pack your stuff and move out. Mail her YOUR key. She is immature and entitled and your husband will never have your back. First it’s a house key, then it’s your parenting. And he will always choose mommy. Get out while the ties are easier to break. Better to break your own heart now, then let it get to the point of no return. When children are involved you will be stuck with this woman forever.
I would rethink evertyhing BUT exposing MIL. I would for sure rethink who I married. He is not a partner. He is an adversary.
The question that no one asked here is “Why did the mother ask DIL for a key and not her own son?”
I have a problem with her husband not caring if mom walks in at any moment, including intimate ones. He should have been supportive of his wife when she wanted more privacy. Her husband is clearly submissive to his mother and is afraid to buck her. I know how this goes, as I had a domineering parent that no one would want to argue with, lest they face his wrath. He, too, was “never wrong” (at least in his own mind).
Mama was upset she got caught, and considered it being made a fool of. However, she did it to herself! One, by attempting to trespass, and two, by calling DIL out on it in a public setting–clearly trying to embarrass DIL, but upset when the tables were turned–she wasn’t expecting DIL to do that, rather bend, like everyone else seems to.
NTA – MIL should have never used the key, and she should have never brought up the fact that the key was a fake in front of others at a family function. If she figured she had to bring up the subject then it should have been brought up in private. She made a scene in front of others as I assume she figured she was going to get sympathy from the others. Unfortunately your husband said what he did, and if you had resentment towards him, I wouldn’t blame you in the least.