Am I Wrong for Refusing to Buy MIL a Couch?

AITA for not buying MIL a couch? OP wonders if they should stand their ground against pressure to purchase a new couch for their in-laws after a series of events.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
25 Dec 2025

Am I Wrong for Refusing to Buy MIL a Couch?

In the world of family dynamics, navigating responsibilities and expectations can often feel like walking a tightrope. One Reddit user, a 40-year-old woman, has found herself in a particularly perplexing situation involving her in-laws and a couch.

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After her dog allegedly scratched the bottom of a couch that her in-laws purchased, they gave it away to a friend, leaving her and her husband with a dilemma. Now, she’s questioning whether she should buy them a new couch, despite her reservations about their past choices.

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With her husband seemingly pressuring her to make this financial commitment, she grapples with feelings of obligation and the desire to assert her independence. While she acknowledges that she often picks her battles, she wonders if standing her ground on this issue might be the most critical fight yet.

The post has sparked a flurry of reactions - from strong support for her stance to suggestions for managing the underlying financial and relational dynamics at play. As the discussion unfolds, participants are invited to weigh in on whether she would be the "asshole" for not wanting to replace the couch, bringing to light themes of financial responsibility, personal agency, and the complexities of familial expectations.

How should she navigate this challenging situation? The floor is open for insights and advice!

Original Post

So, this might just be me overthinking but my gut tells me this is what’s going on and it’s usually right. I (40F) have been married to my husband (42M) for almost 3 years.

So here’s the situation - my in-laws bought a couch for their TV room. Nothing I would have bought but we all have our own style.

Allegedly, my dog scratched the bottom of the couch. Since it’s the bottom, couldn’t be seen.

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Fast forward later and husband’s friend needed furniture so she gave it to him. Now, currently in our TV room is their other couch (all of their furniture is in there because they are completely re-doing their tv room- which is a whole other story).

This morning I asked my husband if they’d like their couch back, I would rather us by our own. He got mad asking why would they want their broken couch back?

(One of the recliners doesn’t recline and never has since it’s been there. We didn’t break it).

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Since I make decent money, I end up paying for a lot - more than I should have to. It probably sounds like this is just a wild assumption of mine but I know my husband and the way he’s been talking lately I know he wants me to buy them a couch.

My mom always taught me to “pick my battles”. I rarely even stand up for myself (something I’m working on getting into therapy for).

WIBTA if I stand my ground and refuse to buy them a couch? They can have all of their original furniture back.