From Slate Magazine · Jenée Desmond-Harris · · 1m 10s
Wedding Ring Heirloom Causes Family Tension
A family heirloom wedding ring sparks conflict over inheritance and family dynamics.
In brief
A family heirloom wedding ring sparks conflict over inheritance and family dynamics. A woman wants to pass her late grandmother's expensive engagement ring to sisters-in-law but faces family backlash from her mother-in-law who criticizes her for not having children. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Heirloom Ring Stuck in Box
The writer wears a silicone ring to avoid losing expensive jewelry but keeps her late grandmother's engagement ring in a box.
“I wore it for photos and the ceremony, and it promptly went into a bank box.”
Family Conflict Over Ring
The writer's husband brought up the ring to his mother, who cried and called the writer awful, ungrateful, and not understanding family.
“She said I was awful, ungrateful, and didn't understand the meaning of family.”
Mother-in-law's Cold Treatment
The writer's mother-in-law has been cold to her because the writer and husband don't have children, despite one sister-in-law having two.
“My mother-in-law has been cold to me because my husband and I are not having kids, despite the fact that one of my sisters-in-law has two.”
Wishing Ring Buried
The writer wishes her grandmother had been buried with the ring instead of keeping it in a box for potential future niblings.
“I just want to celebrate my sisters-in-law and am now wishing Grandma had just been buried with it.”
Prudie's Advice
Prudie advises keeping the ring, noting jewelry boxes exist for precious items that don't need to be worn often.
“Just keep the ring. Jewelry boxes exist for a reason.”
Family Tension Continues
The writer faces family issues including mother-in-law's cruelty over not having children and husband's overreaction to the ring decision.
“There are obviously other issues at play in your marriage and family: your mother-in-law’s cruel treatment over your decision not to have children.”
Here's the gist
A woman wants to pass her late grandmother's expensive engagement ring to sisters-in-law but faces family backlash from her mother-in-law who criticizes her for not having children.
