A husband says his mother-in-law demanded the bedroom saved for his young child, then stopped speaking to the child for two weeks after an argument

A couple is reportedly dealing with a messy family situation after a series of disagreements with the wife’s mother led to a complete breakdown in communication. In a Reddit post by u/theprodigy93 in r/AITAH, the husband says the mother-in-law told relatives the couple kicked her out, a claim the couple disputes. Several relatives, including the wife’s brother, appear to have stopped speaking to them.

The poster says the tension started after the couple bought the mother-in-law’s home and later moved into a new six-bedroom house. The mother-in-law insisted on taking the bedroom right next to the couple’s, claiming she needed it, even though the couple said they had already reserved that space for their young child. They reportedly wanted to keep the child close for safety reasons.

The father-in-law joined the fray, reportedly threatening to move out if his wife did not get the room she wanted. Extra space has fueled similar standoffs, with one husband turning down his in-laws’ holiday request after moving into a larger home. The situation became more complicated because the couple had been supporting the in-laws financially.

The couple says the in-laws weren’t paying any rent while they lived there

The mother-in-law and her husband lived with them for a period without paying rent, according to the couple, who also covered food costs. The poster says the father-in-law also struggled with money, especially over a car purchase the husband advised against. He reportedly went to the dealership anyway and ended up with a payment that took up his entire Social Security income.

Things apparently turned sour when the mother-in-law got angry at the husband after he responded to a comment she made about someone else. She reportedly stopped speaking to their child for two weeks. “I don’t get it, if your mad at me, don’t involve an innocent child,” the husband wrote.

He says he apologized for his part in the argument, but the mother-in-law remained distant. The couple also described issues with hoarding, as they kept some of the mother-in-law’s belongings in their home and say the stored items brought a rat problem they had to handle themselves. Stockpiling made headlines in a very different context recently, when TSA warned World Cup fans about hoarding ranch dressing on flights home.

The couple maintains that the mother-in-law left of her own free will and was never kicked out. Relatives now reportedly view them as disrespectful for setting boundaries. The poster says the wife’s brother, who usually answers calls quickly, has stopped answering altogether.

The poster claims the mother-in-law has a history of trying to control who her family associates with, often warning them to avoid a specific sibling she dislikes. She also reportedly sent her husband out of the country after the pair argued.

When the couple attended a family function a month after the move, they say nobody spoke to them. The family later sent messages in a group chat saying they missed the wife and child but left the husband out entirely. The couple says they find that confusing, since the same relatives refused to acknowledge them at the last gathering.

Cornell University sociologist Karl Pillemer calls this “collateral damage,” as estrangements can force relatives outside the dispute to take sides. His national survey found that 27% of Americans 18 and older had cut off contact with a family member, roughly 67 million people. Pillemer said that figure is likely an underestimate, as some people are reluctant to acknowledge a rift.

The couple says they now avoid family functions after the cold reception. The account comes solely from the poster, and the mother-in-law’s side of the story could not be verified.