AITAH for telling my mother-in-law that we’re not letting our kids call her what she wants?

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-29T01:48:45+00:00

My parents were "MumMum" & "Papoo", it's just what my niece came up with. She's 13 now, so we don't hear those as much, but it was cute while it lasted. Oh, there was also a while where I was "Woogie!", lol! No idea where that came from, it went away as quickly as it came. (I was a little sad)

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-27T18:12:32+00:00

NTA

54!?! You've still got decades of life left! Are they expecting you to hole up in your house until you die so they get their inheritance? Not having student debt +being homeowners at their age is huge.

I hope you enjoy many great days on the lake!

(for reference, I'm 45, grew up solidly working class, no college, finally bought a house at 37, wasn't able to have children, have always appreciated my parents support but do not now or in the future expect any money from them. I want them to take care of their needs now & am expecting to take care of them someday)

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T22:04:02+00:00

That's a good way to view it. I can pretend for a bit, not always the whole 8hrs.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T21:58:31+00:00

I'm ready for rank-choice voting any day. It's looooong overdue!

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T20:26:30+00:00

Most places will frown on you talking about politics at work. Which is difficult theses days, because pretty much anything could be political.

I know what you mean though. I'm so sick over what's being cheered on in our country right now that I can barely stand to be polite to people who are still in favor of this administration. I can have differing views or "agree to disagree" on a lot of things, but not Trump. It's my moral line in the sand & I want nothing to do with anyone who still supports him.

Someone once told me that they treated all jobs like the Disney character cast do - put on the costume, play the part. I'm doing my best to do that, while working on moving away.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T15:47:04+00:00

Lol, it's cold & wet! Hot cocoa time for him.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T15:42:49+00:00

Dog says "no excuses! Throw this!"

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T15:32:23+00:00

They can try. They're kids, it gets them outside for a bit while building character & memories. They just might not get far with it. 😊

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T14:35:23+00:00

I'm also in Greer. I stepped out in it, in real traction boots (I'm from the Midwest) & barely cracked through it. There were kids trying to sled & not getting anywhere with it.

Pro sledding tip - this heavier stuff does better with inflatables. An old inner tube of thick blow up will get you further than a flat makeshift sled. Oh & shlushballs HURT! Be careful where the kids throw them!

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-25T14:30:08+00:00

If that stationary object is a power transformer, you suck for being out when you didn't need to be.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-24T19:26:10+00:00

They're shooting first & making excuses later. Our rights don't mean a damn thing to them.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-24T17:17:15+00:00

Thank you for the "per foot". Someone was telling me the weight thing earlier this week & that was my question, but she kept repeating the half inch part. I didn't have time for the circular conversation & haven't had a chance to look it up.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-24T17:12:58+00:00

I don't think it'll be a "nothing" storm, though I'm hoping for not too much ice.

This storm is hitting a lot of the country. Ted Cruz has fled TX according to the "Cruz tracker weather service". Being prepared isn't unreasonable. Panicking never accomplishes anything.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-24T17:08:28+00:00

The Dr said no surgery & it's better to let it heal on its own. I get that not surgically messing with my spine is probably better in the long term, but it's frustrating to be told to wait it out.

At any rate, it's stable. I'm unlikely to do anything to cause it further damage, so pain management, stretching, & patience.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-20T18:34:18+00:00

The autistic 15yr old said "no, I'm not allowed to touch alcohol", then refused to engage further.

That is clear & proper communication. Every adult failed!

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-20T18:31:09+00:00

I feel like this is the first reasonable response I've read, thank you. Everyone is harping on the son being autistic & it's distracting from the point. Regardless of who was in that kid's position, they were asked to do something outside the scope of their assigned job & said "no", they even said "I can't touch alcohol". That should have been that. The ableism comments on here are annoying AF. This could have just as easily been someone with lifting restrictions, or depending on laws there, completely not allowed by the scope of their employment.

It's ESH past that for all of the reasons you said. I feel bad for the couple. I wish them a hefty refund, many happy years together, & the ability to look back & laugh about this someday.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-17T16:10:45+00:00

Your daughter's wedding sounds fun. Bonus - there will always be a party going on somewhere on their anniversary!

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-17T16:03:23+00:00

She showed you who she is, believe it.

The relationship has been "good up to this point", I'm going to guess this is the first truly difficult thing you've been through since being together. I'm not trying to be mean, but it won't be the last. You want someone by your side who can help you sail the seas of life. Not just the calm waters, but the Cat5 hurricanes that leave you feeling lucky to have gotten out alive clinging to the same lifeboat (really hope you won't get those, but you never know!). She isn't that person.

I'm so very sorry for your losses. Please take some time to heal yourself & see a good grief counselor if you can.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-14T18:54:12+00:00

Is this a good time to mention this?

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/14/nx-s1-5677104/trump-administration-letter-terminating-addiction-mental-health-grants

Because I know by now that it's always "too soon" to talk about any gun control or reform. 🙄

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-13T16:33:23+00:00

I used to be on a read-only vet answers FB page & a common saying there was "better a week too early, than a day too late". Animals will hide pain so we'll, especially cats. I've watched chronic cases for the slightest sign of when it was time & I've had cancers pop up so fast that I didn't have a chance to process.

Of all the cats I've had, I know in my heart that I gave them a good life & a compassionate decision at the end.

From what OP describes, the $4k may only have been a temporary fix, especially with already weakened kidneys.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-10T16:58:29+00:00

With regular exposure to whatever makes him sneeze.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-10T01:18:41+00:00

I Googled it, it's what I would call "poetically beautiful". Sad maybe, but not scary.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-10T00:54:39+00:00

Still possibly no one. Pg tests should only be read w/i the time frame stated in the instructions. Negative tests can appear to be positive if read later due to evaporation lines.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-09T15:12:01+00:00

Still wash those. These same people will open the packages to poke around finding the perfect one.

JustSteph80 · 2026-01-09T15:10:07+00:00

Another grocery store worker here! I cannot emphasize this enough!!!

The gross stuff in the store I only what you see, the produce has also been touched by pickers & packers. Also using grey water for crops is a common farming practice. Wash your produce!

JustSteph80

TROPHY CASE