I read this story on Reddit about a frustrated new mom whose in-laws, particularly her MIL and her MIL’s sisters, seem to be crossing boundaries and making her feel manipulated. The situation escalated after the birth of her 7-week-old baby, with the MIL’s family suddenly becoming overly interested in visiting and seeing the baby, despite previously having limited interactions.
The mom shared how the day after Christmas, her MIL’s sister insisted on dropping off a gift for the baby, using it as an excuse to visit even when the parents weren’t in the mood for guests. Despite trying to avoid the visit, the aunt managed to get into their building and knock on their door. The gift included baby clothes and $50 cash, which seemed innocuous at first.
Fast forward to a New Year’s family gathering planned by her MIL’s side of the family. The new parents had already made it clear they wouldn’t attend because their baby was still too young and unvaccinated. Despite this, the MIL asked again on New Year’s Eve, and they reiterated their decision. On the day of the party, the MIL’s sister—who had never been close to the mom—unexpectedly called her through Facebook Messenger, something she had never done before. The call was perceived as a direct attempt to pressure them into attending the gathering.
The mom strongly suspected her MIL was behind the aunt’s sudden interest, using the aunt as a proxy to persuade them. The mom felt that the gift of $50 and baby clothes was being wielded as leverage to manipulate them into compliance. She expressed her frustration at what she perceived as their expectation of entitlement over her baby due to a simple gift.
“Did your MIL seriously try the ‘you ask, because if I ask she’ll say no’ trick we all used to do with our friends in childhood? Just stand your ground. You don’t need to give an excuse, just say no and either end the call or change the subject.”
“I am 100% sure she pulled that trick. I know MIL enough and she’ll do whatever just to see and hog my baby.”
This story sheds light on the importance of boundaries in relationships, especially when a new baby is involved. Many commenters supported the mom in standing her ground and refusing to feel pressured or manipulated, emphasizing that her baby’s health and her family’s well-being should always come first.