New Mom Sets Boundaries with In Laws Partner Upset Reddit Parents Debate
A new mother shares her struggle with a partner unwilling to limit his parents constant presence While grateful for their help she’s desperate for quality time with her baby Reddit users weigh in with support and advice .
A woman recently posted to Reddits Am I the A forum about feeling overwhelmed as a new mom Her frustration stems from her partners parents being overly involved with her 8 month old child While she appreciates the grandparents weekday childcare help she’s upset that they also expect to spend weekends with the baby—leaving her and her partner little bonding time as a nuclear family .
Babysitting vs Bonding Where Does Appreciation End
The grandparents provide four hours of free childcare each weekday despite the father being home and off work due to injury This help has been invaluable to the couples daily routine However the new mom is concerned about losing precious family time on weekends as the grandparents continue to demand access even outside of work hours .
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She contrasts this situation with her own upbringing where grandparents visited every few weeks or months The constant involvement of her in laws feels excessive and she’s beginning to feel displaced in her own parenting role .
Brewing Resentment When Gratitude Fades
Though she acknowledges the financial relief of free childcare the mom admits she’s starting to feel bitter toward her in laws—and her partner What frustrates her most is that her partner refuses to call the situation too much Instead he defends his parents presence as a gesture of love for their grandchild even if it means sacrificing their own weekend family time .
This refusal to establish boundaries has sparked deeper conflict The mom feels ignored undervalued and unsupported .
Reddit Reacts Community Advice and Judgment
Reddit users largely sided with the mom validating her need for boundaries and encouraging her to advocate for time with her own child Many criticized her partner for not stepping up to address the issue with his parents .
One top comment read
“Tell your in laws you appreciate their weekday help but weekends are your time to bond with your baby They deserve rest—and so do you”
Another user added
“Your boyfriend is avoiding parenting duties on weekends by defaulting to his parents He won’t say no because it’s convenient”
Key Takeaways Boundaries Communication and Family Balance
1 Open Communication Is Crucial
The tension comes from a lack of boundaries and honest conversation Both partners must agree on family roles and communicate with extended family accordingly .
2 Gratitude Doesn’t Eliminate the Need for Space
While help is appreciated parents deserve undisturbed time with their own child .
3 Resentment Builds Quietly
Overinvolvement—even with good intentions—can strain relationships and leave parents feeling alienated .
4 Balance Is Not Rejection
Accepting help during workdays doesn’t mean giving up weekends Setting limits is about balance not exclusion .
Final Thoughts
This viral Reddit post highlights a relatable struggle for new parents how to graciously accept support while still protecting precious family time For this mom the issue isn’t about disrespecting her in laws—it’s about wanting the space to grow into her role as a mother Without clear boundaries and her partners support appreciation can quickly curdle into resentment The lesson Love needs limits—and communication is everything .