Couple With A Newborn Is Furious Because Family Recorded And Kissed Their Baby Without Their Consent

“Husband spoke with his father about this, who said we are overreacting and being disrespectful to his side of the family.”

A 28-year-old couple thought they were setting one simple rule for their newborn, no kissing and no photos unless they ask first. Spoiler, the family did not get the memo. Then his dad allegedly showed up with a totally different mindset, treating it like disrespect to their side of the family, while recording and kissing their baby anyway.

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Now the couple is stuck arguing about consent, privacy, and whether they’re somehow the bad guys for wanting control over what happens to their child.

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Original Post

Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole
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OP's husband made it clear from the beginning that no one is to kiss or photograph their baby without asking them.

OP's husband made it clear from the beginning that no one is to kiss or photograph their baby without asking them.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole
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The husband's dad did not take it well and considered it disrespectful to their side of the family.

The husband's dad did not take it well and considered it disrespectful to their side of the family.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

Consent is a fundamental aspect of any interaction, including those within families.

OP eventually modified the post to include an "Edit" with more context.

OP eventually modified the post to include an "Edit" with more context.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

OP thinks she and her husband might be the a-holes for the following reason:

OP thinks she and her husband might be the a-holes for the following reason:Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

Here's how the Reddit community reacted to the user's post:

Here's how the Reddit community reacted to the user's post:Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

That’s when OP’s husband’s “ask first” rule turned into a full-on family power struggle with his dad.

When family members disregard consent, it can lead to feelings of violation and emotional distress.

OP's decision reeks of xenophobia.

OP's decision reeks of xenophobia.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

“Not sharing pictures on social media is a totally acceptable boundary...”

“Not sharing pictures on social media is a totally acceptable boundary...”Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

If it applies to everyone, then it's not xenophobic.

If it applies to everyone, then it's not xenophobic.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

OP’s father-in-law didn’t just disagree, he framed it as disrespect, even as the baby was getting recorded and kissed.

It echoes the couple keeping their baby’s first smile private from the mother-in-law, even after she pushed back.

The situation faced by the couple highlights a significant breach of personal boundaries that can have profound emotional implications. This incident, where family members recorded and kissed their newborn without consent, understandably invokes feelings of vulnerability and loss of control for the parents. Such violations can elicit trauma responses, particularly when they concern something as intimate as a child. It is essential for parents to address these feelings, as unprocessed emotions can strain familial relationships. Acknowledging the impact of these experiences is vital in restoring trust and fostering a healthy family dynamic.

The parents' wishes should be respected.

The parents' wishes should be respected.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

The dad's traveling habits are not relevant in this scenario.

The dad's traveling habits are not relevant in this scenario.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

"The entire stance isn’t unreasonable."

"The entire stance isn’t unreasonable."Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

The Reddit debate took off after OP added more context, with people zeroing in on the consent part, not the “who’s right” part.

To foster healthier family interactions, it's crucial to engage in discussions about boundaries and consent.

If it applies to everyone, it has nothing to do with race.

If it applies to everyone, it has nothing to do with race.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

Parents have the right to worry about their children's privacy and safety.

Parents have the right to worry about their children's privacy and safety.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

Strangers will see OP's children in public regardless.

Strangers will see OP's children in public regardless.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

Once someone has a picture of your child, you can't know where it might end up.

Once someone has a picture of your child, you can't know where it might end up.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

"You're being paranoid and overprotective."

"You're being paranoid and overprotective."Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

You can tell that OP and her husband are first-time parents.

You can tell that OP and her husband are first-time parents.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

OP and her husband are making his family feel like they're not trustworthy.

OP and her husband are making his family feel like they're not trustworthy.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

You can't trust your family blindly.

You can't trust your family blindly.Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

"I’m sure they get that you’re in charge."

"I’m sure they get that you’re in charge."Reddit: r/AmItheA**hole

By the time strangers started using social media and “it’s fine” arguments, OP was left wondering if the family will ever respect the boundary again.

OP and her husband have every right to wish to reduce their child's digital footprint. However, if family members want to take a photo of their child to save the memory and moment, there isn't much they can do about it.

Their child will eventually be out in the world, and cameras will constantly be around them. If you enjoyed reading this, make sure to check out similar content on our platform.

The recent incident involving a couple furious over family members recording and kissing their newborn without consent underscores the critical importance of consent and boundaries in family interactions. This situation illustrates how neglecting these fundamental principles can lead to significant emotional distress. Families thrive on open communication and mutual respect, and when these elements are compromised, the potential for conflict increases. The couple's reaction is a poignant reminder that protecting the privacy of children is paramount, and respecting parental boundaries is essential for nurturing healthier family dynamics.

The family dinner did not end well, because consent was the only thing nobody wanted to follow.

Want more consent drama like the in-laws kissing their newborn without permission? See the woman refusing ultrasound photos to her mother-in-law.

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