My parents and in-laws have generously taken turns during the week to help care for my baby while my husband and I work. For the last two days, my parents had our baby overnight at their home. When my mom brought him back, she said, “I know this is going to piss you off, and you can be mad, but…”
That’s when she told me she had added rice cereal to my two-month-old’s bottle. I had already told her I didn’t want to introduce cereal just yet. When I reminded her of that, she replied, “No, the last thing you said was that you were thinking about it.” Whatever.
Later, I sent her a text saying I was angry and hurt that she went behind my back and did it anyway. What really got to me was how casually she brushed it off—like it didn’t matter to her that I was upset.
I told her that, in my opinion, she doesn’t respect me as the baby’s mother. If she did, she would’ve at least asked first. I also said that, for the time being, I don’t feel comfortable leaving the baby alone in her care—or in my dad’s—unless either my husband or I are present.
Now she’s upset and refusing to answer my calls.
My dad tried to downplay it, saying she didn’t mean any harm. But he also hinted that she wouldn’t come watch the baby again—unless I apologized and lifted the restriction.
AITA for saying I don’t trust them to watch the baby alone anymore? Am I wrong to stand firm on this?
ETA: Thank you all so much for the encouragement and the awards. To clear up a few things: I called my mom because she has a medical procedure scheduled for Tuesday, and I’m the one who’s supposed to take her there and back. I just wanted to confirm whether she still wanted me to do it or not.
Originally, both sets of parents offered to provide childcare for our baby’s first year. My husband and I had already saved up enough to cover daycare costs, so that money is still available. We’ve always tried to respect their time and never take advantage of their offer. And we’re totally fine putting him in daycare two days a week instead.
We don’t plan to cut my parents off from seeing the baby. Once we feel we can trust them again, they’ll be able to care for him alone. Until then, we’ll just make sure one of us is always there with them. Again, thank you so much. I really appreciate the reassurance that I’m not overreacting—especially about how dangerous rice cereal can be for a newborn. I’ll definitely talk to the pediatrician about it too. Thanks again!
Heres what people had to say to OP:
