Woman Dodges Invasive Questions with ‘I Don’t Know’

We all have that one person in our lives who asks invasive questions, and for one woman, it’s her mother-in-law. She’s been bombarded with questions about having kids, going to church, and her career. To avoid conflict, she’s taken to answering with a simple ‘I don’t know.’ But is this tactic causing more issues than it’s solving? Let’s dive into her story. ️‍♀️

The Inquisitive Mother-in-Law ️‍♀️

Honesty vs. Delicacy

The ‘I Don’t Know’ Strategy

Dodging Questions on Travel

Kids? Let Nature Decide

Job Uncertainty

Homemaker or Recipe Boxes?

The ‘I Don’t Know’ Pattern

Loose Plans and Job Attachment

Miracle Baby?

Husband’s Reaction

MIL’s Perception

Honesty vs. ‘I Don’t Know’

Is ‘I Don’t Know’ the Best Tactic?

To avoid conflict with her mother-in-law, our protagonist has taken to answering invasive questions with a simple ‘I don’t know.’ While it’s kept the peace for a while, her husband’s mom is now growing frustrated with her perceived aimlessness. Our heroine wonders if honesty would have been a better approach. Let’s see what the internet has to say about her dilemma…

Avoiding invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’ is NTA-approved

Husband needs to handle invasive MIL, NTA for dodging questions

Avoid invasive questions with more questions and humor

Using the ‘gray rock’ method to deal with intrusive people ‍♀️

Partner’s mother’s intrusive questions are not welcome. NTA

Honesty is the best policy, even if it upsets someone

Dealing with invasive questions: deflect with unrelated topics

User questions why woman puts up with disrespectful behavior.

Set boundaries with MIL, husband needs to put his foot down

Responding with non-sequiturs to invasive questions. NTA

Expertly shutting down overstepping plans with grey rock technique

Dealing with loaded questions: don’t take them seriously

Honesty is the best policy, even if it’s uncomfortable ‍♀️

Honesty is key, don’t set the wrong boundary with lies.

Suggests open communication to resolve conflict with assertive MIL.

Setting boundaries with MIL, but still engaging in conversation

Polite advice to be more assertive with mother-in-law.

Spouse’s insistence on lying raises moral questions. #NTA

Polite response to invasive questions praised as NTA

Supportive comment shuts down judgmental in-law, NTA

Dodging invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’

Using ‘I don’t know’ to dodge invasive questions. NTA.

Woman shuts down invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’

Dodging invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’ is genius!

Setting boundaries with in-laws. NTA for using ‘I don’t know’.

Husband’s intrusive mother won’t stop asking personal questions. NTA.

Honesty is the best policy with delicate in-laws

Insensitive comment with no replies. Don’t be like this.

Honesty is the best policy, even if it’s ‘I don’t know’

Setting boundaries with in-laws can be tough

Dodging invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’ – a sweet approach

Honesty is the best policy, shut down invasive questions

Husband and mom are AH, commenter says NTA with explanation.

NTA stands up to invasive questioning with a spineless partner.

Avoiding invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’, NTA.

Spouse should support boundaries with invasive MIL.

Clever response to invasive questions. Religious alternative also suggested.

Unapologetic response shuts down judgmental mother-in-law

Dodging invasive questions with hot button topics and humor

Setting boundaries with in-laws, NTA. Suggests alternative response.

Creative responses to invasive questions. NTA for dodging them

Polite way to shut down invasive questions without being TA

Honesty without hurting feelings: NTA suggests alternative approach

Dodging invasive questions from MIL? Switch topics or fire back

Husband needs to grow a spine and shut his mom down

Avoiding invasive questions with spouse’s help. Good advice.

Husband needs to handle Mom’s pressure on having kids

Being honest is the best policy . MIL may not like it, but at least it’s genuine.

Standing up to invasive questions and entitled family members. NTA

Set boundaries and don’t let your MIL tear you down

Spineless husband? NTA tells it like it is

Nosy witch gets served with a side of blunt honesty. NTA

Establishing boundaries with nosy in-laws, NTA.

Polite advice on handling MIL’s invasive questions with honesty.

Setting boundaries is important. NTA for not sharing personal information

Dealing with an unhappy MIL: honesty or vagueness won’t work

Navigating overbearing in-laws can be tough, but setting boundaries is key. NTA.

Dodging invasive questions with ‘I don’t know’ – NTA wins

Setting boundaries with honesty and respect.

Spouse wants wife to be both delicate and direct with MIL. NTA

Woman handles nosy MIL with grace, NTA

Learn about the ‘info diet’ technique to avoid criticism

Handling difficult family members with grace and composure

Spouse’s approval or honesty? Navigating tricky questions with grace.

Setting boundaries with difficult in-laws

Setting boundaries with in-laws can save your sanity

Toxic in-laws?

Polite ways to dodge invasive questions and keep your privacy

Honesty is the best policy, NTA for dodging invasive questions

Spouse should have your back against intrusive MIL

Navigating small talk: How to steer clear of invasive questions

Husband’s mom judges honest and noncommittal answers. What to do?

Husband’s mother needs to butt out. NTA

Sarcastic reply suggests minimizing time with mother-in-law. NTA.