A mom writes in asking for advice. It’s her husband’s birthday coming up and she and her husband are planning their first night away since having their baby. They had asked her mother-in-law if she would watch the baby overnight. Her mother-in-law said no, even though she loves babies and happily watches her friends’ babies when asked. Mom wants to know if she should say something to her or let it slide. What would you do?
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A member of the community asks:
“So my husbands birthday is next weekend. We have a two-month-old baby and have never left him overnight. However, for his birthday we asked his mom if she would watch him just for the night and we would pick him up in the morning. He’s a great baby and only wakes up once if that.
Let me add that she is completely over the top about babies. Loves, loves, loves babies and will do anything to get her hands on one. She has foster kids, one of them is 2, and she says he might cry and wake my son up so for this reason she said she won’t watch our baby.
Meanwhile, a friend of hers has a baby and she has BEGGED her to let her baby stay over with her and goes and visits her etc., and takes all her friends’ babies all the time. Now let me also add that I KNOW our baby is our responsibility and no one else’s, but let’s be real here, we all need a break. We even offered to pay her. Should I say something to her or should I let it slide? It bugs me because I really wanted to take my husband out and have some alone time.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who’s Mother-in-Law Won’t Watch Her Baby
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
Most commenters advised that the OP either leave it alone, or (nicely and calmly) have a conversation with her mother-in-law about it. “Have your husband talk to her,” suggested one commenter. “Or just try and sit her down and calmly ask her why she would watch someone else’s baby but not her own grandchild. Or you could both talk to her.”
Other commenters felt differently, advising OP not to pursue it because “everyone has a right to say no for any reason.” And since she already said no, several commenters felt that would seal the deal for them — they wouldn’t even want her to watch the baby even if she changed her mind.
Ultimately OP, you have to decide what you feel comfortable with. Let us know what you decide.
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