[UPDATE] My MIL hit our son and my husband defended her

In a once-happy home now fractured by betrayal, a mother’s world shatters when she learns her husband, like his mother before him, has struck their 3-year-old son, dismissing it as a cultural necessity. What began as a shocking incident with a spoon escalates into a bitter divorce and custody fight, as she grapples with stress, legal battles, and a husband who brands her objections as weakness.

This Reddit update plunges into a heart-wrenching saga of broken trust and clashing values. As the mother fights to protect her son from a cycle of normalized violence, her husband’s defiance and verbal aggression raise a piercing question: was she wrong to choose divorce, or is this the only path to safety?

For those who want to read the previous part: Original Post

‘[UPDATE] My MIL hit our son and my husband defended her’

The OP’s dropped an update on the saga—curious? Click here to check it out!

This update lays bare a marriage torn apart by irreconcilable views on parenting and a husband’s refusal to break from harmful traditions. The mother’s decision to pursue divorce, after learning her husband struck their toddler and justified it as cultural, marks a courageous stand for her son’s safety. His escalation to verbal aggression and dismissal of the act as “not serious” only deepens the rift, while his custody claim paints her as unfit for rejecting physical discipline.

Child psychologist Dr. Alan Kazdin states, “Corporal punishment, even if ‘mild,’ risks emotional harm and teaches children to solve conflicts with violence.” The husband’s technique—wrapping a spoon to avoid marks—reveals a calculated approach, not a cultural mandate, contradicting his claim that “every Latin American parent” does this. Research backs the mother’s stance: a 2021 study in Pediatrics found that physical discipline in early childhood correlates with increased behavioral issues and anxiety, undermining claims of “resilience.”

This reflects a broader issue: cultural norms versus child welfare. While some cultures historically normalized corporal punishment, global shifts—evidenced by bans in 60+ countries, including parts of Latin America—prioritize non-violent discipline. The husband’s racism accusation, as noted in the original post, appears manipulative, dodging accountability by framing criticism as cultural attack. The mother’s prior discussions about raising their son non-violently highlight a betrayal of shared values.

For solutions, experts urge legal and emotional support. The mother should continue documenting evidence, like her husband’s confessions, to strengthen her custody case. Therapy could help her manage stress and process the divorce’s toll, while parenting classes might demonstrate her commitment to non-violent discipline. A restraining order may be needed if verbal aggression persists.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s community rallied with fierce support, condemning the husband’s actions and cheering the mother’s resolve. Here’s what they had to say:

These passionate responses laud the mother’s courage and debunk the husband’s cultural defense, but do they address her stress and legal fears? Is the husband a product of his upbringing, or simply unaccountable?

This update weaves a sobering tale of a mother’s fight to break a cycle of violence, at the cost of her marriage and stability. Her stand against her husband and mother-in-law’s actions sparks a vital question: when does protecting a child outweigh cultural or family ties? Was divorce her only option, or could dialogue have salvaged trust? Readers, what would you do in a custody battle over clashing parenting values? Share your thoughts—let’s dive into this heartbreak!