AITA for telling my DIL she is not a mother?,

February 07, 2026

AITA for refusing to send a Mother’s Day basket to my daughter-in-law who calls her dogs her “kids”?

When Mother’s Day came around, I sent baskets to my expecting daughter-in-law and my daughter who has a baby—but my other daughter-in-law Jenny, who has no kids and calls her dogs her “kids,” got no basket. It sparked a family fight.

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I’m a 64-year-old mom with grown children, and while I sent thoughtful Mother’s Day baskets to my daughter and my expecting daughter-in-law, I refused to send one to my other daughter-in-law Jenny, who insists her dogs are her “kids.” That led to a big argument and accusations against me.

My family is busy with life; my sons and daughter are married and starting families of their own. For Mother’s Day, I sent baskets to my expecting daughter-in-law and my daughter, who recently had a baby grandson. Both appreciated the gesture.

"Jenny always joked that her two dogs are her first grandkids—I thought she was kidding."

That changed when Jenny called, upset she hadn’t received a basket. She insisted that since she calls her dogs her children, she deserved the same recognition. I told her I believe Mother’s Day is for women who raise human children, not pets. That deeply offended her.

"She said I’m not a mother and only a pet owner—and cursed me for it."

My son urged me to apologize and send Jenny a basket, calling me a jerk for dismissing her feelings. Now, the holiday meant to be warm turned into a conflict over what qualifies someone as a “mother” and who deserves recognition.

🏠 The Aftermath

Jenny remains upset and distant, interpreting my refusal as a personal attack on her identity as a dog mom. The family is divided, with my son siding with her and urging me to make amends.

Meanwhile, I stand by my belief that Mother’s Day is for people who raise children, not pets—even if I recognize Jenny’s love for her dogs. No basket has been sent yet, and there’s tension around this issue.

The holiday tension has highlighted differing views on what motherhood means and how families navigate those distinctions respectfully.

"Mother’s Day is for raising children, not for pet owners claiming the title."

I feel caught between honoring tradition and being sensitive to my family’s feelings, but I’m also frustrated that calling her dogs her kids caused such a rift.