A new mother seeks advice on how to handle her overbearing mother-in-law in a Dear Annie letter. Since the birth of her baby, the mother-in-law has been constantly visiting, critiquing how the baby is fed and dressed, and insisting on holding the baby the entire time she’s there. The new mother is feeling overwhelmed and anxious in her own home and wants to set boundaries without causing a rift in the family.
The advice given is to first talk to her husband about the situation and express the importance of feeling in control in their own home, especially now that they have a baby. Together, they can calmly and firmly communicate ground rules to the mother-in-law. It is suggested that if the mother-in-law pouts or makes passive-aggressive comments, the new mother should not feel responsible for managing her emotions.
The overall message is that boundaries are important for protecting one’s well-being, and it is okay to set them without starting fights. The new mother’s story is a common one, and readers are encouraged to seek advice from Annie Lane and other advice columns for similar situations. Additionally, Annie Lane’s second anthology, “How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is now available for those seeking advice on marriage, infidelity, communication, and reconciliation. Readers can send their questions to dearannie@creators.com for more guidance.
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