11/09/2025
My MIL kept insulting me for being "JUST A TEACHER" until my father-in-law spoke out.
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I'm 34F, married to Ethan (36M). Been together eight years, married for five. I teach high school English—not glamorous, but I love it. Watching a shy kid find their voice beats any paycheck.
But my MIL, Karen, never saw it that way. From day one, she made it clear I wasn't worthy of her "golden boy."
When we first met, she smiled as if she'd bitten a lemon.
"So, you… teach? How adorable," she said.
"Yeah, English."
"OH, HIGH SCHOOL! TEENAGERS! BRAVE. SOMEONE'S GOTTA DO IT."
Since then, every family event turned into an open mic for her insults.
"Oh, sweetie, those long summer breaks must be so nice."
Or, "Passionate about something, even if it doesn't really pay."
My favorite: "Not everyone can handle a real career."
At Christmas, she said in front of everyone:
"ETHAN COULD'VE MARRIED A DOCTOR OR A LAWYER. BUT HE FELL FOR SOMEONE WHO GRADES SPELLING TESTS. LOVE TRULY CONQUERS ALL!"
I wanted to disappear.
Then came her husband's 70th birthday—and karma finally showed up.
We were at this overpriced restaurant she chose, dripping in diamonds. For a while she behaved. Then, wineglass in hand, she leaned over:
"So, Emily, still shaping young minds?"
"Yes, we're reading 'The Great Gatsby'."
She smirked. "AH, POOR PEOPLE PRETENDING TO BE RICH—HOW RELATABLE!"
Then louder: "TEACHING'S MORE OF A HOBBY, ISN'T IT? ANYONE WITH PATIENCE AND A FEW CRAYONS CAN DO IT. WHAT'S THE PAY NOW—FORTY GRAND?"
"Sixty-two," I said.
She laughed. "OH, HONEY. THAT'S WHAT I SPEND ON HANDBAGS!"
I wanted to disappear. Ethan's jaw clenched. And then—my father-in-law Richard suddenly spoke out.
"Karen," he started slowly.⬇️⬇️⬇️
Full in the first c0mment