She Turned Her Hobby Into a Thriving Business, But Her Mother-In-Law’s Unexpected Reaction Threatened to Tear Their Family Apart.

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In a heartfelt account, the Original Poster (OP) details the journey of his wife transitioning from a career as a stats analyst to embracing a knitting venture inspired by her late mother’s unfinished projects. Just as their family business begins to bloom with a new trailer and an exciting online presence, OP faces fierce opposition from an unexpected source: his mother. As tensions rise during a holiday gathering, the reader is left to navigate a maze of family expectations.

A Loving Union

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OP is married to a loving woman with whom he shares two daughters. They have a strong relationship and always choose to support one another. However, their journey to parenthood hasn’t been easy, especially with the birth of their second child.

The Struggle to Expand

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The couple faced numerous challenges while trying to conceive their second child. Multiple miscarriages took a heavy emotional toll on OP’s wife, pushing the couple ultimately towards adoption.

Stepping Away From Work

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Due to the emotional and physical toll, OP’s wife decided to step back from her demanding job as a stats analyst. Financially, they could manage, prioritizing her well-being over the income as she continued to heal and adjust.

An Inherited Passion

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In her newfound free time, OP’s wife took up knitting, bonding with her mother. Sadly, her mother passed away, leaving behind numerous unfinished knitting projects that begged to be completed.

A Connection Beyond Death

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To feel closer to her late mother, OP’s wife decided to complete these knitting projects. It became a therapeutic process and, soon, a skill she mastered and became recognized for throughout their community.

From Passion to Profession

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After the birth of their second daughter, OP’s wife got the idea to monetize her knitting talent. Selling her knitted items at a local Sunday market turned out to be a huge success, more than she could have imagined.

Expanding the Business

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With Christmas around the corner, OP’s wife saved money for a new trailer and a juicer. The goal was to enhance her market stall and allow their older daughter to start a freshly squeezed juice business.

A Christmas Surprise

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After receiving an unexpected Christmas bonus, OP surprised his wife by purchasing the desired trailer and juicer. Touched, she used her savings to launch a website for her emerging knitting business.

Mother’s Disapproval

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The harmonious atmosphere took a hit when OP’s mother visited during the Easter holiday. She strongly disapproved of her daughter-in-law’s business, which seemed unstable and less profitable than a corporate job. She questioned OP’s support for it.

The Escalating Confrontation

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OP’s mother expressed her displeasure, claiming the knitting venture was a downgrade from her earlier career. She criticized OP for spending his bonus on a trailer rather than on the family or a vacation.

Protecting the Peace

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Things worsened when the argument intensified, causing distress to the children. OP had to ask his mother to leave to restore peace in the house. He never thought it would come to such a dramatic gesture.

Doubts and Conflicts

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Haunted by his mother’s strong reaction, OP began questioning his actions. He found himself torn between supporting his wife’s happiness and the unexpected backlash from his family. He felt drawn to protect his wife if forced to choose.

Wife’s Reassurance

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Despite the external pressures, OP’s wife remained positive and reassured him. She emphasized her contentment with her knitting venture and her new path in life. It didn’t matter about the external pushback because she was self-assured in her decisions.

An Unexpected Rift

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The family discord continued, even after the Easter confrontation. OP felt the weight of guilt, believing he might have been the root cause. Conflicted and desperate for an outside perspective, OP asked his friends and colleagues to weigh in and advise him.

The Price of Support

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OP grapples with the fallout of standing by his wife’s choices. The underlying issue was the traditional perspective of what’s considered a worthwhile profession. OP’s mother saw knitting as less significant, revealing a generational perception divide.

Was The Husband’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts his story online, hoping to shed some light on the matter and gain a new perspective. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed opinions to share.

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Your wife decided to pursue a business based on a hobby that has a lot of emotional meaning to her. You’re being supportive of that. As long as neither of you is forcing your daughters to do things they don’t want to do, it’s fine. Your mom’s reaction was probably more about her than you.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “Women shouldn’t be restricted to only traditionally feminine roles, but they shouldn’t be looked down on for doing them either. They should command just as much respect as any other job or art, and anyone of any gender should be able to do them with pride.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “If this is out of character for your mother, then there’s probably something else going on. She is way out of line here. If you had forced your wife to quit her job and forced her into the start-up, then you would be wrong, but that’s not what happened.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “Considering that she was shouting and screaming, I suspect someone in the family has money problems that OP doesn’t yet know about.”