Help! There's a Nasty Rumor Spreading About My Marriage. My Mother-in-Law Called Us in Tears.

"Enter the relationship detectives, a hidden cabal who observed the change of behavior and added one and one and arrived at numptity-thrippity. Rumors of financial and relationship trouble spread, stories were told, and, finally, my partner's mother came to us in tears, begging us not to break up. She's not well and was deeply distressed."

"It's always horrifying to face the reality that people are talking about you behind your back, especially if they don't have their facts straight. Your online acquaintances are speculating about your relationship, not going to the courthouse and forging your and your husband's signatures on divorce paperwork, though. I think on some level you know this, and that's what's behind the "this is stupid" disclaimer in your letter. It's not a stupid concern, but the offense is not quite as bad as you think it is, either."

"You don't actually have to do anything because these people aren't hurting you. It's safe for all of us to assume that when we share things on social media, our followers have thoughts about them-some good, some bad, some based on wildly inaccurate speculation."

Social-media sharing can trigger false assumptions and persistent gossip when posting habits change. Moving vacation photos into private storage can be misinterpreted as a sign of financial or relationship trouble. Calmly reassure vulnerable relatives who are distressed and explain that privacy choices reflect sensitivity to others, not instability. Avoid public confrontations or theatrical gestures that feed rumors. Set clear boundaries with people who repeatedly spread speculation and limit their access to personal information. Choose not to engage with internet-born chatter that causes no tangible harm. Prioritize the couple's privacy and mental health while offering concise reassurance to those who genuinely need it.

Read at Slate Magazine