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Members of a popular internet forum were quick to call out one woman after she brought her son's ex-wife to a party hosted by his current wife.
In a viral Reddit post published on r/AmITheA**hole, Redditor u/Fit-Committee-6882 (otherwise referred to as the original poster, or OP) said her mother-in-law remains infatuated with her husband's previous partner and explained how tensions came to a head at a recent celebration.
Titled, "[Am I the a**hole] for not allowing neither my [mother-in-law] nor my husband's ex into my home when gathering a family event?" the post has received nearly 9,000 votes and 900 comments in the last day.
Writing that her husband and his ex-wife share 6-year-old twins, the original poster said the former couple separated after the children were born but noted that her mother-in-law still thinks of her son's ex as family.
"My [mother-in-law] is always asking me to include her as 'the mother of her grandchildren,' as 'my husband's first love' [and] that she's 'alone in the city,'" she wrote.
Recently, the original poster said her husband received a substantial promotion at work and is set to begin his dream job. However, while planning a party to celebrate her husband's accomplishments, the original poster said her mother-in-law was hellbent on making the gathering as awkward as possible.
"I did warn [my mother-in-law] that [my husband's ex] was not invited and that if she dared to show up, I wasn't going to open the door," OP wrote. "Well my [mother-in-law] had the audacity to show up with her as her 'plus one.'"
"I said this wasn't a wedding so [there] aren't 'plus ones'...but my [mother-in-law] tried to walk past me and said 'nonsense we are already here, move girl,'" OP continued. "But I said no and I stood my ground...my [mother-in-law] said 'if she's not allowed then I won't come either' and I was like 'kay' and closed the door."
"My husband doesn't get mad, still enjoys the evening with the rest of his family and friends but my [mother-in-law] and [brother-in-law] said I crossed a major line and that this won't go unforgiven," OP concluded.
Online stories of overbearing mothers-in-law and the problems they cause with their child's spouse have become increasingly common, but a mother-in-law bringing her son's ex-wife to an event she was specifically banned from offers more to write home about.
In fact, over the last half decade, numerous major city newspapers including The Boston Herald, Detroit Free Press and Cleveland's Plain Dealer have published advice columns addressing the very issue.
Mothers-in-law who remain attached to the former spouses of their children often cause problems for all involved parties, but especially for the spouse or partner responsible for following up the seemingly-perfect ex.
For some current spouses and partners, a mother-in-law's love for their partner's previous partner is just another ploy to retain control and influence. For others, it serves a final straw and a catalyst for family-altering banishments.
Throughout the comment section of the viral Reddit post, Redditors applauded the original poster for banning her mother-in-law and husband's ex-wife from her home and remained adamant that she was justified in slamming the door in both of their faces.
"[Not the a**hole]," Redditor u/J17854W wrote in the post's top comment, which has received more than 14,500 votes. "You gave [your mother-in-law] fair warning and she crossed the line."
"Boundaries were set and tested," Redditor u/jokenaround added, receiving nearly 8,000 votes. "THAT'S how it's done. Bravo OP and husband. Your lives will be happier if you hold strong with this."
Redditor u/TrainingDearest, whose comment has received nearly 6,000 votes, offered a similar response and speculated on what role the original poster's husband plays in the feud with his mother.
"This wasn't an event for their kids; this was an event for your husband," they wrote. "The EX is NOT his wife anymore and no longer has a place in HIS life, beyond what he allows."
"The [mother-in-law] is wayyy overstepping boundaries, the best person to set her straight is her son," they continued. "He needs to stand by you on this and present a united front to his relatives."
In a separate comment, which has received more than 2,600 votes, Redditor u/SoSleepySue asked why an ex-wife would agree to attend a gathering celebrating her ex-husband at the invitation of her former mother-in-law.
"Am I the only one completely floored that the ex is going along with these shenanigans?" they questioned.
"Right?? How embarrassing for her!" Redditor u/mlmarte chimed in, receiving more than 1,500 votes. "Why does she continue to allow her ex-MIL to put her into situations where she is clearly not wanted? So sad."
Newsweek reached out to u/Fit-Committee-6882 for comment.
About the writer
Taylor McCloud is a Newsweek staff writer based in California. His focus is reporting on trending and viral topics. Taylor ... Read more