In-Laws from Hell·
THE DRIVING DEBATE
At a family dinner, a daughter-in-law who cannot drive reveals a pregnancy attempt, sparking a blunt, practical clash over independence, support, and who will handle everyday logistics.
Was that honest concern, or too far?
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Kelly said they were "trying to get pregnant," and the car went quiet.
A poster on Reddit opened with a warning of their own: "I may be an ass here." They explained that where they live in the USA, driving is not optional. The buses are "not great" in their area, and getting around means having a car, a driver, or both.
That mattered because Kelly, the poster's daughter-in-law, "can not drive, she has anxiety and refused to learn for years." The poster said they had what felt like a decent relationship with Kelly. They met up with their daughters and daughters-in-law about once a month for brunch or other fun outings. Kelly's husband, the poster's son, usually drove her everywhere. When he couldn't, the poster stepped in. Uber was out of reach most of the time because "money is tight," and the couple could not afford it.
So when the family met for dinner at one of their favorite spots over the weekend, the setup was familiar. The son couldn't drive Kelly, so the poster picked her up and drove her there.
Then, at dinner, Kelly dropped the news: she and the son were trying to get pregnant.
The poster said they were shocked, but kept quiet. Dinner moved on. No scene. No argument. Just a face Kelly noticed.
On the drive home, Kelly asked why the poster had made that expression at the table. The poster first brushed it off. Kelly kept pushing. Once. Twice. Three times. Four.
After being asked for the fifth time, the poster finally answered.
They told Kelly they did not believe she was ready to be a parent since she could not drive. The poster said, "I am literally driving her places right now since she literally can't get to places without help." They pointed to the practical questions right away: What happens when the son travels for work? What about emergencies? Doctor visits? Would she just "hide in the house all day?" Would someone always have to "Have me take you places"? Or would it be an "Uber that they can't afford"?
Kelly did not take it well. She said the poster was rude and insisted they did not see her as "an independent adult." The poster repeated the same concerns. Kelly called them a dick.
Later, the son called and asked the poster to apologize and, as the poster put it, "basically say having a kid is a good idea." The poster said they did not think it was a good idea at all and believed Kelly needed to hear what they said.