Luvinia Aylmer6 months agoMy 65-year-old mother-in-law (MIL) has asked for my wedding ring back twice, saying, "You haven't had kids." I’m 34, and my husband is 40. We’ve been married for nine years, but his family has been difficult for most of that time. To give some context, my MIL was a real estate agent involved in questionable activities, including helping my brother-in-law (BIL) buy a home secretly while his wife was pregnant. She also committed wire fraud, resulting in a significant financial loss, and has been on the brink of bankruptcy while trying to sell life insurance. MIL has made hurtful comments, including blaming me for BIL’s infidelity. After trying to address these issues in a conversation with her and my father-in-law (FIL), things didn’t improve. My husband and I limited our visits to them to twice a year, and he is currently in therapy to deal with the family toxicity. Three years ago, during Christmas, MIL asked for my heirloom wedding ring, claiming she wanted it to stay in the family for a grandchild. My husband overheard and firmly told her the ring was mine. This past Christmas, she asked again, wanting to give it to our niece (the child of BIL’s affair). My husband shut her down again. I’m exhausted and considering going no-contact with them. I want to protect our marriage, as my in-laws wouldn’t see any future adopted or foster child as a “real grandchild.” We have a supportive network of friends who bring us joy, and I’m tired of feeling drained after family events.114
Luvinia AylmerLuvinia Aylmer