Mother-in-Law Refuses to Visit Newborn After Mom-to-Be Sets Some Boundaries

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock photo of pregnant woman.Photo:Flashpop/Getty

Flashpop/Getty

A mom-to-be is seeking advice from Reddit users after butting heads with her mother-in-law over postpartum boundaries.

“I recently told my husband I didn’t want anyone staying overnight at our house for the first few days after birth,” the woman writes in theReddit post. Though her husband was initially surprised, he ultimately supported her decision.

Together, they informed both sides of the family about their plans. The mom-to-be clarified that family members are welcome to visit throughout the day but emphasized the importance of having a quiet, uninterrupted first few nights to bond with their newborn and adjust to their new roles as parents.

Stock photo of man and pregnant woman.Getty

Getty

While the woman’s mother understood her daughter, her mother-in-law responded with unexpected resistance, which shocked the mom-to-be. “When my husband explained this to his mom, she became upset and said if she couldn’t stay with us, she wouldn’t come at all," she writes.

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“This response threw me off,” the woman admits. “We’ve always hosted her before, even though having guests makes me anxious. I’ve never said no because she’s family, but I feel the first few days after birth are different.”

Her husband understood and was supportive of his wife, but she knows he’d want his mother there. “I want that too—for her to meet her grandchild and for my husband’s sake," she shares.

Another believes the stress shouldn’t be put on the mom-to-be and the husband should handle the situation with his mother.

source: people.com