New parents’ boundaries spark hostility
Dear Amy: Last year, my husband and I had our first child, a son. We let people know that only immediate family members (the grandparents and our siblings) would be allowed to visit us in the hospital the day the baby was born. For the remainder of that week, we wanted privacy.
My husband’s family reacted with hostility, especially my brother-inlaw and his girlfriend.
They decided to call us three days prior to my C-section and berate us for limiting visits. Additionally, they were offended that we were only “giving them” a few hours with the baby. The conversation became so inappropriate we had to tell them to stop or not bother coming at all.
Instead, they decided to tell us that we were wrong for setting boundaries and that they were “walking out of our lives.”
For nine months, that is exactly what they have done. We have attempted to invite them to meet their nephew, but they refused — claiming we were negative, toxic people and that we owe them apologies.
Meanwhile, I went through a traumatic labor and delivery that caused me to suffer from postpartum depression and PTSD.
It has been very difficult trying to understand this behavior and deal with my mental health struggles.
No one in my husband’s family will stick up for us.
If everyone just prefers to “keep the peace” instead of speaking out about this immature behavior, how can our little family possibly have a relationship with my in-laws?
Dear Hurt: My advice for you is to stop. Stop playing this game. Stop trying to engage with people who want to punish you. Stop expecting other family members to defend you (your husband’s parents will not correct their adult child, even if he is at fault).
If your brother-in-law and his partner don’t want to be a part of your child’s life, then you have to respect their choice. You might even be grateful for it, because these people sound very demanding and unsupportive. Do not expect them to behave differently, and do not gossip about them or invite others to engage on your behalf.
You and your husband should continue to bond as a family unit. The best way to continue to support your own recovery is to build up your confidence as parents, maintain a peaceful and positive home life, and keep the outside drama to a minimum.
Dear Amy: My husband’s sisters are big smokers. My husband and I have never been smokers. We are often invited to their home for chats and s’mores around their fire pit.
They use their fire pit as an ashtray for butts and partially smoked cigarettes. They believe that since we don’t smell any cigarette smoke as the fire burns, second-hand smoke isn’t an issue. I feel this is second-hand smoke and a very real health concern. Cigarette filters burned in a fire pit are toxic.
Everyone else, including my husband, thinks there is minimal cause for alarm.
Am I overreacting? Should I excuse myself from these otherwise
enjoyable gatherings?
Dear AF: Cigarettes aside, the fire pit itself presents risks to lung health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov), “In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several toxic harmful air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).”
Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, which is a finely spun plastic. Burning plastic sends off toxic fumes. The leftover tobacco on the cigarettes will also release second-hand smoke.
So yes — this bonfire is basically a flaming pit of toxins. Despite that, I might not necessarily let that stop me from hanging (upwind) at the fire pit, but these are the only lungs you’ll ever have, and you are smart to educate yourself on the health risks.
Dear Amy: “Taken Advantage Of ” described housing and feeding an international student who was trapped in this country. I could not believe how you judged and blamed these generous people for doing such a nice thing!
Dear Upset: I praised their generosity, but blamed them for their refusal to communicate their own expectations and needs. Their silence was not fair to their guest.