Woman refuses to spend Christmas with her in-laws after MIL treats her poorly, husband threatens divorce and their marriage is on the line: 'You're being selfish'

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Nov 30, 2025 12:00 PM EST

Christmas time isn't all fun and joyous celebrations full of love. It's a stressful time that could bring unsettled tensions to the forefront. All the family gets together, and suddenly that thing that happened four years ago comes out and you realize you're still resentful. In the story below, the protagonist is a woman who's fed up with her in-laws. She has always had tension with her mother-in-law, and this year for Christmas she just wants to relax. Usually, they go to her in-laws place, and she ends up doing a lot of cooking and cleaning while there. Her and her husband decided that they'll just spend Christmas together alone with their son, and even get an Airbnb so that she wouldn't have to work at all. 

Her husband decides to change their original plans of the Airbnb, and go to his parent's anyway. She protests and claims she doesn't want to go. He becomes enraged and even threatens divorce. The comments are all telling her it's a red flag, but read the full story below to see for yourself. 

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  • 01
    Couple arguing
    via Pixland from Photo Images / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My husband and I just had a huge fight because I said I didn't want to spend Christmas at his parents' house. My MIL and I have never
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 03
    fully gotten along, but I still respect her and I'm always a good host when they visit. I do all the cooking, cleaning, making
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 04
    sure they're comfortable and have everything they need for a comfortable stay. It's a lot of
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 05
    work, but I do it because it makes my husband happy.
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 06
    This year, we originally planned to spend Christmas just the three of us, me, my husband, and our son,
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 07
    Christmas
    via ilonakozhevnikova / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    and even talked about getting a hotel or Airbnb so I could actually rest. I work a 9 to 5 corporate job and haven't taken any leave all
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 09
    year, so this would've been my first real break. But out of nowhere, my husband decided we're now spending Christmas with his parents.
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 10
    When we visit them, I'm expected to do all the "wifely/daughter in law" duties like cooking, cleaning, laundry, everything and given my
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 11
    complicated relationship with my mother in law it is never really relaxing for me. It's not a vacation for me at all and I told him I don't
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 12
    want to spend my holiday working, and he called me selfish. He even gave me an ultimatum, come with him or he'll divorce
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 13
    me. I tried explaining that I am happy to go visit them some other time but for this Christmas holiday I'd like to stick to our
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 14
    original plans but he refused to understand my reasoning for not wanting to go. So, AITAH for
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 15
    refusing to go and wanting a restful Christmas instead of a stressful one?
    via u/VanieVangurl
  • 16
    CatJarmansPants ⚫ 23h ago NTA. And being divorced by someone who wants a
    via u/CatJarmansPants
  • 17
    divorce because you won't cook or clean for his mother is all a bit don't threaten me with a good time....
    via u/CatJarmansPants
  • 18
    sikonat 23h ago Take the divorce over this bullshit blackmail. Call his bluff.
    via u/sikonat
  • 19
    He has never backed you up. Let me guess he doesn't do remotely half the household chores, mental load or emotional labour?
    via u/sikonat
  • 20
    Enjoy your Christmas without him. You're better off. Find a man who respects you bc the one you're
    via u/sikonat
  • 21
    married to doesn't. He's let his parents treat you like dirt. (Btw refuse every time).
    via u/sikonat
  • 22
    If he backs off and invites your parents over, tell him you and your kid are staying in a hotel so have fun buddy!
    via u/sikonat

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christmas family drama marriage drama family feud relationships lol love family reddit thread Reddit funny dating
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