Skeletons in the (family) closet

WE all have skeletons in the closet, and while for many of us these never come out, for others, bits and pieces will peek out occasionally. And while we’re OK enough with knowing our own shocking family secrets, many of us are reluctant to take on partners with baggage, especially the baggage of a mate whose family comes with additional skeletons.

When you know of these beforehand, of course you can decide on the way forward and decide if you really want to be navigating that road or not. But when you don’t know, sometimes the secret knocks you for six.

What skeletons did you find in your partner’s or their family’s closet after getting together with them?

Abigail, 24:

I found out that he was adopted, and while that wouldn’t have been an issue normally, the whole thing was just so mixed up, because his older sister wasn’t really his older sister, but his mom, who had been a very young teen at the time she had him. It was just too icky for me, especially when I realised that his bio dad was a relative by marriage. We already had a child though, so I couldn’t just leave and cut them off.

Tami-Ann, 30:

His brother had a criminal record for doing something awful, and it was only because I was ‘fass’ why I found out, because it happened way back when. He and his brother have similar first names, so after we were married and I was on maternity leave, I got bored one day and Googled his name, and his brother’s info popped up like on page 10. I read through every story of the case I could find, and still give the family a side-eye because they act like they’re holier than thou.

Marcus, 33:

My girl’s brother-in-law is cheating on her sister with various women — schoolgirls — and I know because I’d see him at the lounge long before I met my girl, and he can’t hide because he drives a very specific model pick-up. I haven’t said anything to my girl, though, because I’m no informer.

Antoinette, 40:

I found the court papers from my husband’s custody battle with his ex, and boy did he and his folks lie and scheme to get custody. The family claimed all kinds of things, like that they were Christians and didn’t drink or smoke, and my husband claimed a lot of assets that were all lies, and they accused his ex of all manner of terrible things that I know were not true. His ex still ended up getting custody, so what they did didn’t work, but I’m just amazed at the lengths people will go to get what they want.