I read this story on Reddit about someone who was dealing with their boyfriend’s parents, who seemed determined to make her life miserable. The woman explained how her boyfriend’s parents would say cruel things about her, like claiming her boyfriend should be “keeping her on a leash” or taking control of her finances. Thankfully, her boyfriend disagreed and believed in equality within their relationship, but the constant negativity was taking its toll.
The parents seemed stuck in outdated gender roles, insisting that she should be cooking, cleaning, and catering to her boyfriend’s every need while also maintaining her full-time job. She was adamant about refusing to conform to such expectations and believed in partnership, as did her boyfriend. But that didn’t stop the parents from criticizing them both.
They even went as far as shaming her boyfriend, belittling his efforts, and expressing envy over what the couple had achieved together. Worst of all, they repeatedly told him that she was manipulating him and that he should break up with her. The constant attacks left her feeling confused and hurt, as she couldn’t pinpoint what she had done to deserve such treatment.
She turned to the community for advice, desperate to figure out how to navigate this toxic dynamic.
“You don’t have an in-law problem, you have a boyfriend problem. Why is he not defending you? Does he also believe you should be waiting on him hand and foot? Because his lack of action at best shows he’s a coward and at worst shows he agrees with them.”
“He does defend me when we talk privately, but I wish he would stand up to them in front of me. It’s been going on for a while, and I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“Has he ever put his foot down and said something to defend you in front of his parents? How long has this been happening?”
“It’s been happening since the beginning of our relationship, but it’s gotten worse over time. He has defended me a few times in front of them, but it’s not consistent, and they keep crossing boundaries.”
This story resonated with many people, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and the challenges of dealing with toxic family dynamics in a relationship.