This woman lost her mother at a young age and grew up with a stepmother she loves and respects deeply.

Over the years, they developed a close, supportive bond—one both of them are genuinely happy with.
The stepmother never pushed for a maternal title, and the relationship evolved naturally on its own terms.

But extended family members decided that wasn’t good enough.

AITA for not telling my MIL what my SIL said?

I (30F) have a SIL “Riley” (14F). I’ve been in her life since the day she was born, and we’re very close.

Riley is going through a bit of a difficult stage right now – lots of fighting with her parents and not always making the best choices.

So I took Riley out for some “girl time.”

How sweet.

We had some sweets and I got her to tell me about what she’s feeling.

This is nothing new, she often opens up to me about things that she doesn’t tell others.

I didn’t tell her what to do, I just gave her somebody to talk to about everything she’s feeling. There was nothing concerning or alarming in what Riley told me, so I did not repeat her words to my MIL.

Fair.

My MIL is mad about this. She says that she a right to know what’s going on in her daughter’s life and that I need to tell her.

I explained that she didn’t say anything alarming or concerning, it was just teenage girl stuff and I’m not going to break Riley’s trust by repeating it. MIL says I’m the adult and I shouldn’t be “playing the secret game” with her daughter.

AITA for not telling my MIL what my SIL said?

Now she’s asking Reddit whether protecting a teenager’s confidence makes her irresponsible…or simply a safe adult in Riley’s corner.

Most people feel that this is a special bond.

One that Riley is lucky to have.

And should never be taken for granted.

Love isn’t measured by titles, and no one gets to evict a child’s first mother to make room for their own comfort.

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.