A woman declined to take in her husband’s younger sister following their father’s death because the couple had mutually chosen not to have children. This decision caused a dilemma for the husband, who felt torn between caring for his sister, whom he considered a father figure, and respecting his wife’s stance on not having children.
The husband, known as the original poster (OP) on Reddit, shared that after their father’s passing, leaving the younger sister without a guardian, he was determined to provide for her. However, his wife did not share the same commitment.
Despite being married for two years, the couple had consciously decided not to have children, creating tension in their relationship.
The OP’s sister, at the age of eleven when their father passed away, viewed him more as a father figure than an older brother. The dilemma intensified as the couple had not planned to have children, making the OP’s sister choose between him and their uncle for guardianship.
The sister chose the OP, but his wife objected, arguing that taking her in would be equivalent to having a child, and since the uncle was an option, they shouldn’t be obligated to become parents.
Prioritizing his sister’s well-being, the OP insisted on taking her in, leading to a heated conflict with his wife. Faced with the ultimatum of choosing between his sister and his marriage, the OP declared that he would keep his sister even if it meant getting a divorce. The couple ceased communication for a while.
In an update, the OP mentioned that after discussing the situation, he and his wife decided to go their separate ways. The wife asserted that he had chosen his sister over her, a claim the OP affirmed, emphasizing his sister’s well-being as his top priority. Many people supported the OP’s decision, praising him for prioritizing his sister’s needs.
While some criticized the wife for lacking compassion, others empathized with her perspective, recognizing the challenges of caring for a traumatized child. Ultimately, the OP and his wife parted ways, with the OP embracing the role of a single father-figure for his sister.
