Family gatherings are often moments that strengthen bonds, but for Linda, her 40th wedding anniversary took an unexpected turn, straining her family instead. With limited space in her cozy home, Linda made a decision she thought was sensible—one that instead ignited a major conflict. Now, she’s left grappling with the fallout. Here’s her story.

For our 40th anniversary, my husband and I planned a small celebration with 12 close family members. Since our house is quite compact, I asked my daughter-in-law if she could bring just my 9-year-old grandson and have her older three children (ages 13, 11, and 10) stay home. My son agreed without hesitation, and the three of them came to the party.

However, throughout the evening, my daughter-in-law barely spoke. Her unusual silence stood out but didn’t seem like the right moment to address it.

The following day, I was shocked to find a large box left outside my door. When I opened it, I saw all the personal items I kept at my son’s house for when I occasionally stayed over. Alongside the box was a note that read, “You’re no longer welcome in my home.”

Stunned, I chose not to respond right away, fearing it might make things worse. But the next day, my grandson called me, sobbing. He said his parents had a huge argument, and his dad had left the house. Alarmed, I rushed over to check on them, only to find their home in chaos.

My daughter-in-law, visibly upset, confronted me directly. She said she was considering leaving my son because he hadn’t supported her or their children. She called my request to exclude her other kids from the celebration “unforgivable” and made it clear she couldn’t move past it.

It’s been a few days, and the tension between them remains unresolved. I can’t stop wondering—was I wrong to make that request?

—Linda