I read a story on Reddit about a first-time mom feeling disrespected after her mother-in-law (MIL) informed her that she had already booked a flight to visit the new baby barely a month after the due date without asking or discussing it with her or her husband first. The MIL lives across the country, and this visit would be her second time meeting the woman and only the first meaningful interaction she’s had with her son in a long time, as they don’t share a strong relationship.
The woman is particularly concerned because she has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition, and anticipates a challenging postpartum recovery due to hormonal shifts that could trigger a flare-up. She had planned to set boundaries about when visitors could come, especially given her health needs, but was blindsided when the MIL made plans without consulting her. The lack of consideration, particularly given that she’s previously shared her health concerns, left her feeling disrespected and upset.
She’s contemplating telling her MIL that she should have asked before booking and asking her to reschedule for a later date. However, she’s also wondering if she’s overreacting by feeling this way.
Your husband should tell her that time does not work for his new family.
And that he will inform her when your little family is ready for visitors. Oh, ‘and please make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date.’
The post resonated with many readers, who emphasized the importance of setting firm boundaries early, particularly with new babies and postpartum recovery. They advised the mom-to-be to let her husband handle the situation, reinforcing the idea that it’s their family’s decision when visitors are welcome, especially given the health challenges she may face.