Mom Makes Up Unreasonable Rules For Her Family Before They Could See Her Newborn Baby
"If you visit for the first time, you will be expected to give Mom (me) a gift card and a gift for the baby from our approved list."
Some family visits come with a little tension, but this one came with a full list of conditions. A new mom drew a hard line before anyone could meet her newborn, and the rules quickly turned into the main event. That did not sit well with everyone, especially her sister-in-law, who wanted to see the baby while she was in the area for only a few months.
What started as a boundary ended up splitting the family, and the fallout got messier from there. Read on.
This is OP's problem
No_Letter_1344OP had the list sent out before their baby was born
No_Letter_1344The list started off practical, at least on paper.
The rules started practically
No_Letter_1344
Then continued to be ridiculous
No_Letter_1344
That is where the compromise started to fall apart.
They brought up the issue of their SIL visiting, who was only going to be in their area for a few months
No_Letter_1344
The SIL tried to ask them to compromise since she was broke
No_Letter_1344
The family did not think the rules were fair, either.
They said no, and she tried again, but they wouldn't relent
No_Letter_1344
The family of OP's husband was ignored after they were told that they were wrong for what they were doing
No_Letter_1344
When things cooled down and they tried to reach out to the sister, it was too late, and she didn't return their calls anymore.
No_Letter_1344
This is similar to the family fight that erupted when someone enforced strict visiting housing rules.
Reasonable. Reasonable. Reasona-- wait, can you repeat that rule again?
ToPiggyback
It's weird to have specific requests that involve money just to let someone see your kid
Lookatthatderp
They might be putting their kid on an unattainable pedestal for the family
ToPiggyback
They might've had a plan before the baby was even born
Advanced-Extent-420
The baby would have to suffer the consequences of their actions
TheUnkind1
The groceries that they were requiring her to bring might have been her own groceries for college
xilaquil
Don't forget the chores
TheLizardsCometh
OP might've thought that things like this happen for royal...
DDecimal
This person thinks OP went way too far.
families would work if her family wanted to see her baby badly enough
DDecimal
Someone listed all the reasons why OP is the a**hole
Loreo1964
The sister-in-law could've said no, but instead, she desperately tried to compromise because she really wanted to see their baby
Gimmecheesenow
It's like babysitters paying those who asked to babysit for them
sortaangrypeanut
An understatement for the whole post
Loreo1964
OP and her husband's family might choose to go NC. No one wins, and their kid might suffer because of it
stoicsticks
The irony of OP's statement is very apparent
pixiep48
There are many families that are broken and simply don't care if they see each other or not. OP is lucky to have a sister-in-law who loves their kid so much that she would compromise with their strict rules.
If they continue to do as they please and refuse to bend on what they want, especially regarding money-related matters, then everyone might stop considering talking to them at all. Their baby might bear the burden of their consequences when they grow up.
Do you think OP was right or wrong in this situation? Let us know in the comments.
The family dinner did not end well.
Before you judge OP’s “no compromises” rulebook, read about a sister refusing to fund her sibling’s baby due to reckless spending.
