It's vital for children to grasp from an early age that people might try to test their patience by criticizing various parts of their lives. Such behavior shouldn't be put up with. It's important to stop it whenever it arises. Not standing up against it can open the door to more mistreatment and bullying from those who target vulnerability.
A Reddit user posted on the r/AmItheA**hole subreddit, explaining how she stood her ground and didn't force her son to apologize after he reacted strongly to her mother-in-law's disrespect. The son was being harassed by the MIL due to his more feminine traits, and he finally snapped. While OP's husband thinks OP should teach her son to be a bigger man, OP still believes that her son doesn't need to apologize to the MIL in this case. Scroll down for more details!
OP asks:
Source: thr000wawaaay_
Background information
Source: thr000wawaaay_
OP is very supportive of her son.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
OP finds her MIL very annoying.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
MIL keeps criticizing OP and her son.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
MIL told OP's son to wash his eyeliner off.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
The son eventually had enough of OP's MIL's harassment and snapped.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
OP refused to make her son apologize.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
OP's husband got upset that OP didn't teach her son to be the bigger person. OP won't change her mind.
Source: thr000wawaaay_
Source: Samael13
Source: NUT-me-SHELL
No one should ever have to apologize for their identity.
Source: archaeologistbarbie
Source: NotHisRealName
Source: scout1982
MIL certainly is TAH.
Source: Rohkea1
Source: RichPerformance2369
Not her business.
Source: Kooky-Hotel-5632
OP has already taught her son how to stand up for himself.
Source: VlaxDrek
The consensus among readers was clear: most believed that the OP did the right thing by not letting her son's boundaries be disregarded. We're eager to hear your thoughts too – feel free to share your perspective in the comments section below!