Redditor Refuses To Share Her Live Location With Her Mother-In-Law Despite Her Husband Pressuring Her To

Some couples divulge everything, including their closest friends' secrets and toothbrushes. So why is it hard to share their location? If you do, it represents a brand-new degree of closeness.

Sharing your whereabouts is generally referred to as "location sharing." This phrase has recently come to specifically refer to location-sharing apps.

You can use these apps to access real-time maps to locate your family members. Yes, they can determine where you are using the internet.

To ensure your spouse arrives at work safely, you might want a location-sharing app. Or perhaps you need one to make sure your child doesn't stay up past their bedtime.

Now more than ever, third parties can easily find out where we are (and, potentially, what we're doing) thanks to smartphones, which monitor our every move, including our location. Occasionally, our spouses, significant others, and partners are those third parties.

But is it beneficial to let them know where you are at all times? For the OP in today's story, sharing a location was a significant issue.

And guess who wanted the OP to share their location at all times? The mother-in-law. According to the OP, she claims to need to know where the OP is to ensure her safety.

They have argued about it several times, and it’s just rubbing the OP the wrong way. Read the entire story for yourself below. 

The headline...

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The OP's family doesn't even have her location

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The OP also mentioned that the MIL has never had her location before

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The Psychology of Personal Boundaries

Research indicates that establishing personal boundaries is crucial for mental well-being. Psychologists emphasize that individuals who feel pressured to share personal information often experience increased anxiety and a sense of loss of autonomy. Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading researcher in self-compassion, states, "Setting boundaries is a vital part of self-care and helps maintain our mental health." Healthy boundaries are essential for maintaining self-esteem and personal integrity, as noted on her professional website self-compassion.org.

The OP added more information in the comments, and here are some of them below

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Your MIL doesn't have to treat you like a child

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You didn't need her as a child

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Experts in family dynamics note that the pressure to conform to familial expectations can lead to significant stress.

This is particularly true when family members, like a mother-in-law, impose their desires on adult children, which can create power struggles.

Understanding these dynamics can help individuals navigate their relationships by asserting their needs while maintaining respect.

She obviously can't do anything to protect the OP

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Your partner should listen to you

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This is just overstepping basic common decency boundaries

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Coping with Familial Pressure

Dr. Emily Carter, a licensed psychologist, suggests that individuals facing familial pressure should articulate their boundaries clearly.

Her research highlights that effective communication strategies, such as using 'I' statements, can mitigate conflict and foster understanding.

Practicing assertiveness can empower individuals to maintain their independence and reduce stress in family relationships.

It sounds like the OP does share her location with friends

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It's none of her business to have her location

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You can't always get what you want

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To manage pressure from family members, experts recommend creating a support network outside of the family.

This network can provide emotional backing and reinforce the individual's choices, making it easier to stand firm in their boundaries.

Engaging in therapeutic practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can also equip individuals with tools to handle familial expectations more effectively.

Time to tell her to mind her own business

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She's going to use it to check on you

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Seems like the mother-in-law has too much time on her hands

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Your husband needs to get on board with your decision

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It's strange that your husband is agreeing with her

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If you're paranoid, then that's a you problem

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They should not be arguing their mother's case

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The OP just wants to avoid her concerns

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This Redditor's parents tried this a few times

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It doesn't matter if you don't share it

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You have a right to privacy

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Regardless, sharing location within families has many advantages. The OP and her partner are adults, and they do not need the MIL to provide any sort of protection.

Redditors were unsure how the MIL having the OP's phone location could genuinely be considered "protecting" her anyway. The OP was declared "not the AH" at the end of it all.

Psychological Analysis

This behavior illustrates a common struggle between personal autonomy and familial expectations, where the individual feels pressured to conform.

Understanding this dynamic can help in developing strategies to assert boundaries without causing family rifts.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Maintaining personal boundaries is a vital aspect of mental health that can prevent familial stress.

Research supports that clear communication and assertiveness can empower individuals to navigate complex family dynamics.

Ultimately, respect for personal autonomy is crucial for fostering healthy relationships.