Woman Replies With A Joke To The "When Are You Going To Have Kids?" Question And Gets Banned From Family Halloween Party

A simple question about kids turned into a family blowup after one woman tried to answer with humor. Instead of moving on, a relative took offense, and the tension kept building until the couple was banned from the annual Halloween party.

Reddit user Noswellin said she and her husband were visiting family in their new home when one sibling-in-law brought up the familiar, and often unwelcome, question about when they would have children. She joked to keep things light, but the response did not land the way she hoped, and the situation quickly spiraled.

Now the whole family is weighing in, and the Halloween invite is off the table. Read on. Noswellin

The couple just wanted to show their family the new home they bought

Noswellin

One of OP's siblings-in-law couldn't help but pop 'that' question, though

Noswellin

To diffuse the situation in a lighthearted manner, OP tried to respond jokingly

Noswellin

That joke was meant to end the conversation, not start a family feud.

The brother-in-law just can't seem to get over it, however

Noswellin

In the end, he felt offended and uninvited the couple to his annual Halloween party

Noswellin

It is important to note here that the Reddit user's intentions with the joke were simply to cut the conversation short. She actually likes kids and adores her nieces and nephews, but she just doesn't want kids of her own.

The democratic community of r/AITA has ruled that, in this case, she is not the bad guy.

One of the biggest reasons behind this ruling is that her in-law didn't have the right to judge her simply because he had it rough in his own family. He just wouldn't stop nagging about it, even though OP was trying to handle the situation in a light-hearted and polite manner.

Here are some of the best comments.

This person thinks the question was the real problem.

It's an illogical response in that argument since OP isn't even a parent nor wants to be one

Radiant-Legend

Is it because she's a woman? Seriously?

jessdb19

This is so true! It's the kids who are going to suffer the most.

not_cinderella

They're illogical and they're butthurt

sa5m_i_am

You don't get to be mad about someone's choice in life, especially if they're not affecting yours

RedoubtableSouth

Another commenter kept it blunt.

This feud is just like the wife who excluded her in-laws from a family gathering and still got stuck in the argument.

This person's answer is also a winner

Thia-M3762

"Sorry, but we think the cats will get overwhelmed and stressed with kids around."

Noswellin

It was truly a classy move to deal with the situation, but Alex chose to get butthurt for no valid reason

budding_clover

His bitterness apparently got to him

l3rambi

There's nothing wrong with not wanting to bring a child into the world, especially if you know you can't care for them properly

MaybeAWalrus

He should also reflect on his mistakes right there

Accomplished_Twist_3

Alex also needs to respect OP and her husband's decisions

LeoSolaris

That is a very effective line to keep people out of your business pretty quickly

curious_seahorse1

Yes! Kids just aren't for everyone

TryTongue_ButHole

Sorry, but their inability or difficulty in having kids is not a burden anyone else should carry

imarebelpilot

How does pestering other people help them anyway?

0biterdicta

That's why it's easier to decide before having kids, right?

Randomaccount45343

It's not about you, Alex.

Dry_Faithlessness135

It's like he was just looking for something to sulk about

a_peanut

It's always child-free folks who have to defend their life choices

PotatoLover-3000

People make the decision to stay child-free because they know themselves better than anyone else, and those around them can't dictate otherwise. It's their life, and they have the right to that choice.

Unfortunately, Alex doesn't seem to understand that because of his own concept of an ideal family. Hopefully, the family can work through this, and congrats to OP on their new house!

Some family members really cannot take a joke.

Want more family fallout over boundaries at a party? Read how a bride banned her sister’s kids from an elegant wedding.