16-year-old stepdaughter lays claim to stepmother's heirloom bracelet, says she already considers it to be hers after being told she couldn't have it: '[She] later told my husband I was treating her like she wasn’t family, and now he’s on her side too'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Mar 18, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Things that aren't yours really just aren't yours, covet them all you like, it just doesn't change that fact. Even the richest person in the world wouldn't be able to buy or lay claim to something that wasn't theirs if the owner didn't want to relinquish it. You're welcome to try and ask for pretty much anything you like, but it doesn't mean you're going to receive it. Further, you can't blame the person for being a little put out if your request is impolite or presumptive.

This stepdaughter made a presumptive request when she asked her stepmother for the heirloom bracelet that the stepmother had received from her own grandmother following her passing. This bracelet had more sentimental value than monetary value, which made it all the more valuable to the stepmother. Her stepdaughter asked once, and she brushed it off politely, but the girl continued to insist and pretty much outright demanded that she receive the bracelet as a gift on her 18th birthday. When she was refused again, she went running to her father, the woman's husband to try and manipulate him into coming to her rescue.

Frustrated and bewildered by the situation she was facing, the stepmother shared her experience with this online community.

Advertisement
  • 01

    "I told her I love her, but this is one of the few things I have left of my grandmother, and I don’t want to give it away."

    Cheezburger Image 10482241792
    via Vinícius Müller

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "AITA for not letting my stepdaughter have my grandmother’s bracelet?"

    My grandmother left me a bracelet when she passed. It's not super expensive, but it has a lot of sentimental value to me. I wore it at my wedding, and I've kept it safe ever since. My stepdaughter (16) saw it in my jewelry box a while back and said it was "so pretty." I told her it belonged to my grandma, and she asked if she could have it when she turns 18. I kind of laughed it off and said, "We'll see." That was months ago.
    via auroradahlia99
  • 03
    Well, last week, she brought it up again, but this time, she told me she already considers it hers. I told her I never said I would give it to her, and it was important to me. She got upset and said I should want to pass it down to her because she's "basically my daughter." I told her I love her, but this is one of the few things I have left of my grandmother, and I don't want to give it away. She stormed off, later told my husband I was treating her like she wasn't family, and now he's on her s
    via auroradahlia99
  • 04
    I told him it means a lot to ME, and I don't understand why she feels entitled to it. Now they're both giving me the cold shoulder, and I feel like I'm going crazy. AITA?
    via auroradahlia99
  • 05

    "I told him it means a lot to ME, and I don’t understand why she feels entitled to it. Now they’re both giving me the cold shoulder, and I feel like I’m going crazy."

    Cheezburger Image 10482242560
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 06
    stroppo NTA! This is a family memento. And the first thing you have to do now is hide it, because they will try and steal it from you. Show this to your husband and stepdaughter: Folks, why are you so selfish in your demands that your wife/stepmother give up an item that means a lot to her? It means nothing to you. You are being incredibly entitled and cold- hearted. And OP, sorry you're stuck with these people. I guess you now know your husband doesn't think of you as "family" either.
    via auroradahlia99
  • 07
    Thistime232 · 3h ago Even if she was your biological daughter, why would you give it to her when she turns 18? Wouldn't you wait, and leave it to her when you di, just like your grandmother did?
    via auroradahlia99
  • 08
    auroradahlia99 OP I've been in her life since she was 10, and we have a good relationship. I've always treated her like my own, but that bracelet is one of the last things I have from my grandmother. She passed away when I was young, and I don't have much else of hers. It's not even about the money—I just don't want to give it away. Also, she has jewelry from her biological mom's side that I would never try to claim. I don't get why they're making this a big deal when I never promised it to her.
    via auroradahlia99
  • 09
    Snackinpenguin • 3h ago Like a magpie, She just wants your shiny stuff. It's yours and she can live with the reality that people don't just give her stuff because she wants it. I would, however, lock it up. it wouldn't surprise me if there's an update to this post that the bracelet has disappeared. NTA.
    via auroradahlia99
  • 10
    Away-Elephant-4323 NTA it's yours you don't need to give it to her! She acts entitled! to it when she's not!
    via auroradahlia99
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10482243840
    via whereslugo

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

Babies family dynamics teens family drama stepmother aita AITAH infant kids teenagers blended family siblings stepchild moms family feud parenting family pregnant reddit thread parent raising kids Parenting Fail parents children
Scroll Down For The Next Article