This Christmas was supposed to be special just a quiet day for a mom, her partner, and their baby to celebrate together. It was their little one’s first Christmas, and everything was planned out. But, of course, her in-laws had other plans.
Back at Thanksgiving, they’d shown up an hour early, blindsiding her. When she asked her mother-in-law (MIL) why she didn’t give a heads-up, MIL admitted, “Because I didn’t want to,” and hinted that she thought the mom would’ve put the baby down for a nap to avoid her. That memory still stung.
This time, she invited them for Christmas lunch at 1 PM. They arrived an hour late. As she sat waiting, watching her overtired baby fight a nap, she couldn’t help but feel the familiar wave of frustration. It wasn’t just the lateness, it was the constant lack of respect for her time, the passive-aggressive digs, and the pouty attitude if things didn’t revolve around MIL’s whims.
When they finally showed up, MIL started her usual questions about the baby’s sleep schedule. The mom stayed calm but firm. “We prioritize her schedule for her well-being. It’d help if you arrived on time to see her awake.”
MIL didn’t say much, but her pout said it all. It wasn’t perfect, but the mom knew this: she was done letting her time and boundaries be ignored. This might not have been the Christmas she envisioned, but it was a step in the right direction.
“Honestly, show your husband this post. He needs to step up and set boundaries with his family. It’s your holiday too, not just theirs!”
“I get it. My in-laws are the exact same way. It’s like they think their time is more valuable than yours. You’re not wrong for feeling this way, it’s exhausting!”
“Let your baby nap when she’s tired. If MIL gets pouty or asks questions, just calmly say, ‘We prioritize her schedule for her well-being. If you’d like to see her awake, please try to be on time next time.’”