“Don’t Treat My Mother Like a Germ”: Conflict With Husband Who Brought Home a Blanket His Mother Used [What Do You Think?]

[Financial News] A story has emerged about a woman in her 50s who is troubled because her husband brought home a blanket his mother had used for years, to a household where family members have atopic dermatitis.
A woman’s account of her husband repeatedly bringing home things given to him by his mother was featured on the recently aired JTBC program “Case Leader.”
The things her husband brought home were not limited to one or two items. They ranged from frozen meat of unknown purchase date to unused dishes and hiking clothes that did not fit. As items continued to pile up at home, the burden on the woman who submitted the story reportedly grew as well.
What’s more, the woman and her children all have atopic dermatitis, so they were careful about using clothes and bedding that come into direct contact with their skin.
The conflict escalated over the Chuseok holiday. The woman, who was feeling unwell, could not go to her in-laws’ home, so only her husband and children went. When her husband returned, he brought home a bundle of blankets that his mother had reportedly used for several years.
The husband said there was nothing particularly wrong with the blanket. He brought it home, saying, “They say it was used for a few years, but it’s not worn out or anything, and it’s thick.” The woman complained, “Didn’t I tell you not to accept everything your mother gives you without question? Please don’t bring home anything that will touch our children’s skin.”
In response, the husband retorted that she should not treat his mother as if she were unclean. He said, “Don’t treat my mother like some kind of germ,” and, “Don’t use it; I’ll sleep under it by myself,” and reportedly did in fact use the blanket on his own.
The woman said she was not taking issue with her mother-in-law’s intentions. “I know better than anyone that she gives us things because she’s thinking of us,” she said, but added, “Shouldn’t you also understand that I can’t handle any more?”
Park Sang-hee, a professor of psychology, said people should consider not only the giver’s goodwill but also the circumstances of the family members who will actually use the items. She explained that if three of the four family members cannot use an item, one option is to accept it first and then sort through or discard it.
Opinions were divided after the program aired. Some viewers said, “Since it’s bedding that children with atopic dermatitis will use, the decision should be made carefully.” Others responded, “Taking the older person’s goodwill into account, accepting it first and then sorting it out is also an option.”
[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter