Love makes people do strange things, but even weirder is when another person’s love towards their spouse makes someone act weird. Jealousy, entitlement, and delusion can all come together in one horrible package.

For example, a woman shared her shock at learning that her family, instigated by her jealous sister, legitimately wanted her to hand over her baby. For some absurd reason, they believed she would be a poor mother, not have time for the child, and that her life was good enough anyway. OP, naturally, kicked them out of the house and vented her feelings to the internet.

Entitled people often can not see the flaws in their logic

Image credits: Polina Tankilevitch (not the actual image)

A woman was confused to learn her family wanted her sister to raise her baby

Image credits: Anna Shvets (not the actual image)

Image credits: Liza Summer (not the actual image)

After reading the comments, OP gave an update

Image credits: Guilty-Schedule-7886

Entitlement often makes people ignore reality

First and foremost, obviously, OP is so far in the right, that it seems superfluous to even ask the internet for advice, particularly when her husband is also firmly on her side. She simply has the misfortune, though no fault of her own, to deal with people who feel like they can simply make these demands. It’s clear that the sister has some unresolved issues due to her own failed relationships, but what is even stranger is the fact that her family seems to be going along with it.

Unfortunately, entitlement is normally a response to other, psychological and behavioral issues, but its precise triggers are often unclear. While from the outside, these sorts of requests are obviously delusional, it’s important to remember that, in this case, the sister no doubt actually believes she should have her sibling’s baby. No doubt, she has rationalized a universe where due to her misfortune and her perception of her sister’s life, she actually would be a better mother for this child. This is, without a doubt, delusional, but it’s unlikely that she can see that in the moment. In a better world, her parents would have done what they could to dissuade this sort of thinking, but unfortunately, it seems that they have instead amplified it, either because they agree or because they do not know how to say no.

Part of the rationalization for such bizarre behavior can come from the misguided belief that misfortune needs to be followed by something “good.” Some people believe in karma, fate, or some universal balance, but this brings with it the risk of leaning on this idea too much. Because “karma” owing you a win is not the same as another person owning you anything at all. Naturally, this probably causes some distress and even anger when reality doesn’t match up with expectations.

Leaving your psychological hangups unresolved isn’t healthy for anyone

There is some indication that, deep down, OP’s sister does understand that her request doesn’t really make much sense. For example, she does her best to rationalize taking the baby, arguing that its actual mother, somehow, won’t have time for it. She also has assumed or is trying to force upon OP, the idea that she never even wanted to get married. This really doesn’t stand up to even seconds of scrutiny, as OP eloped, which shows an above-average desire to get married.

The alternative explanation, which is perhaps more plausible, is that she has an unhealthy obsession with her sister’s husband. Raising this man’s child might “keep him around” she perhaps reasoned, overlooking just how deeply unhealthy this concept is for everyone involved. We already know she perhaps doesn’t see reality nearly as clearly as she should which could, which might also be the reason she vastly overestimates her chances to steal away a baby and a man who has no interest in her. Many humans do overestimate their chances far too often, most visibly when it comes to gamblers.

OP has suggested the possibility of moving away to escape from a family that so readily indulges in the sister’s delusions. While by itself, this encounter is weird and uncomfortable, there is also the risk that it won’t be the last. Unfortunately, people with a skewed perception of reality and their own “rightness” might not stop at a simple no, so OP might be correct to try and protect herself and her family. Ultimately, the sister needs therapy and parents who make her face reality and move on with her life, instead of making demands of their other child.

OP responded to some reader questions

Commenters were shocked by the families behavior and gave OP some suggestions

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