A woman was saddened to learn of her brother and sister-in-law's stillbirth, a loss that has left them completely devastated.
She says she recently had the grieving couple over for a family dinner, one month after their bereavement, along with her sister and parents. She naturally assumed everyone would act in a sensitive and supportive manner.
However, that very evening, her sister Katie decided to come forward with a cruel "practical observation" about the couple's financial circumstances, insinuating that their loss could be viewed "as a good thing".
Infuriated by her 24-year-old sister's callousness, the anonymous woman told her to leave the dinner altogether, so as to avoid hurting their grief-stricken sister-in-law any more than she already had.
This apparently isn't the first time that Katie has passed judgement on their ability to parent without much money, having previously suggested they shouldn't be starting a family at all.
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Recalling the scene in a Reddit post, the unnamed woman explained that her sister-in-law Sarah had been struggling with mental health problems in the weeks since her stillbirth.
When she left the table to use the bathroom, the sympathetic woman asked her brother, Fred, how she had been getting on, at which point Katie decided to make her own thoughts known.
Turning to other users for advice, the woman, who posts under the username u/crispsandfries, wrote: "Before Fred could reply, Katie jumped in and said, 'Well, though the loss is very sad, think of this as a good thing. At least you don't have to worry about money anymore.
"As I said, you shouldn't be bringing kids into this world unless you are sure you can provide for them.'
"Fred went red-faced and said that they would have been able to provide for their child. They may not have money for extra luxuries, but they would do everything for their child.
"He was almost crying and purple with anger, so I quickly dragged Katie away to the kitchen and demanded what had possessed her to say something so insensitive."
Unfortunately, rather than apologise immediately, Katie became "incredibly defensive", arguing that she'd "made a very practical observation and she was 100% correct."
She added that "it was better to see straight than be clouded by emotions", apparently not realising just how upsetting her 'observation' had been for Fred to hear.
Appalled by her sister's coldness, the woman continued: "By that time, Sarah had come out of the bathroom and was shocked to see Fred in tears. She kept on getting hysterical and asking what was wrong.
"I knew that Katie's presence would ruin things further, and I asked her to get out. She looked incredibly hurt and angry, but went out anyway."
Their parents hadn't arrived at that time, and so hadn't seen the incident unfold. When they later learned what had happened, they were also "shocked and upset", but felt that she shouldn't have kicked Katie out.
However, the vast majority of those commenting on the post felt she had been absolutely right to show Katie the door, with many regarding her cruel comments as inexcusable.
One person wrote: "As a bereaved parent I can't explain how hurtful this is especially coupled with calling into question their ability to support a child.
"Support your brother and sister-in-law. Katie needs to learn the consequences of her actions. She has likely irreparably damaged the relationship with her own brother. She won't be there to see her brother's children grow up after that."
Another said: "What she said was hurtful, insensitive, and ignorant. Is she suggesting that only wealthy people can have kids? Or that only children who grow up in wealthy homes are well taken care of?
"I don't know your brother or sister-in-law, but I do know many people around me who come from humble backgrounds yet they do their best to provide a good life for their children. Grieving parents shouldn't have to hear such comments."
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