Boundaries. It’s a word many don’t understand, especially mothers-in-law.
Case in point: This MIL who decided to go against her daughter-in-law’s wishes and get her three-month-old baby’s ears pierced.
Mum says no. MIL does it anyway
The situation unfolded on Reddit and, well, let’s just say, it certainly got people talking.
As the Original Poster explains,
My husband’s family and I have had some cultural difference issues in the past. I try to stay out of them as best as I can, until they involve my kids (I have a son who is 4 and a daughter who is 3 months old).
One tiny thing that came about when I had a daughter, was ear piercing. It’s a big deal in my husband’s culture that the baby girls get their ears pierced pretty much at birth.
I wasn’t comfortable with it. I know they won’t remember it and wasn’t so much the pain aspect, but moreso I wanted her to be able to decide.”
Fair enough, right? After all, it’s her baby, it’s her decision.
But the mother-in-law clearly disagreed. On one particular afternoon, the mum took a much-needed break from bub to run some child-free errands, leaving her daughter with her MIL.
Mother-in-law kept them out a bit later and when she returned….my daughter had pierced ears. She said she had my sister-in-law (husband’s sister) do them. She’s done them for all the babies in the family and it was tradition.”
Tradition or no tradition, the mum is naturally pissed.
I felt so violated, took my kids and told her to leave.”
Since the situation unfolded, the mum has decided she doesn’t want her mother-in-law watching the kids alone. And she’s taken babysitting duties off the table.
As soon as it’s safe to, I’m removing the earrings. My husband’s family is saying I’m being so disrespectful and I’ve said that I just don’t trust her, since she’s continously disrespected my parenting.”
Who’s in the wrong?
The mum asked Reddit users if she’s being the asshole in this situation and the tribe has spoken. She’s not the asshole. But what we do think ladies? What would you do?
If you love a good MIL debate, then make sure you check out this story about a MIL who wants to breastfeed her granddaughter.
