Wife frustrated and husband wonu2019t stand up to his mother during tense argument in a modern kitchen setting.

“I’m On My Last Straw”: MIL’s Prayers For A Baby Grandson Backfire As Pregnant Daughter-In-Law Cuts Contact

Picture this: you’ve met the man of your dreams, and as a bonus, his mom is lovely. The two of you get married, and suddenly, it’s like a switch was flicked. You now have a mother-in-law that can best be described as an “absolutely overwhelming and exhausting human.”

Those were the exact words one woman used when she sought help online in dealing with her husband’s mother. The pregnant woman says her MIL was a terrible mom to her husband as a child, and is now trying to overcompensate. The mother-in-law even went as far as praying that she’d have a grandson. The woman is so angry that she’s decided to keep the gender of her baby a secret – but her husband feels she’s being unfair.

She’s livid that her mother-in-law prayed for her to have a son

Woman upset at kitchen counter with another woman angrily gesturing, illustrating husband not standing up to his mother conflict.

Image credits: macniak / Envato (not the actual photo)

Now that she’s pregnant, she refuses to tell her MIL the baby’s gender, but it’s causing huge problems in her marriage

Alt text: Wife frustrated as husband refuses to stand up to his mother, causing tension in their relationship.

Text on a white background saying I apologize for the long post giving context behind my begging from everyone here on any advice.

Text excerpt about a wife describing her difficult relationship with her mother-in-law after marriage.

Text on white background stating history of how much she lacked as a mother to my husband, relating to husband won’t stand up.

Alt text: Text describing a wife's frustration with her husband not standing up to his mother using their faith and forgiveness.

Text excerpt discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother, causing wife to consider walking away.

Text excerpt about a wife frustrated as husband won't stand up to his mother, affecting their marriage.

Wife frustrated as husband won’t stand up to his mother, using their Jesus card to avoid conflict.

Text excerpt about wedding issues highlighting husband not standing up to his mother in a troubled marriage situation.

Bride in wedding dress sitting on floor upset, symbolizing husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away.

Image credits: WBMUL / Envato (not the actual photo)

Alt text: Text excerpt describing a wife’s frustration as her husband won’t stand up to his mother during family visits and events.

Wife shares frustration as husband won’t stand up to his mother, considering walking away from the relationship.

Text describing a wife frustrated as her husband won’t stand up to his mother, causing tension in their relationship.

Wife considering walking away as husband won’t stand up to his mother using their Jesus card in conflict.

Text excerpt describing a tense family situation where the husband won’t stand up to his mother, affecting the wife’s feelings.

Text excerpt showing a wife upset with her husband who won’t stand up to his mother over family dinner troubles.

Text excerpt describing emotional support and hardship, highlighting issues of husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering leaving.

Pregnant woman upset as husband’s mother prays for a son, causing conflict over gender preferences and family tensions.

Text image showing a message about speaking up amid family tension with husband not standing up to his mother.

Pregnant woman standing in a bright kitchen, reflecting on family issues as husband won’t stand up to his mother.

Image credits: nd3000 / Envato (not the actual photo)

Wife frustrated as husband won’t stand up to his mother, considering walking away due to lack of unity in relationship.

Alt text: Text expressing frustration about husband not standing up to his mother and considering walking away from the marriage

Image credits: Longjumping_Pass8688

“It’s actually disturbing”: The woman gave more info when prompted by netizens

Text discussion about husband not standing up to mother and wife considering walking away due to manipulation and setting boundaries.

Online advice on handling a husband who won’t stand up to his mother and wife considers walking away.

Online discussion about a husband not standing up to his mother, wife considering walking away due to family conflict.

Forum discussion about husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away from the relationship.

Commenter advises therapy for husband struggling with generational trauma and mother’s mental health in difficult family dynamics.

Many felt the husband needed professional help

Reddit comment about husband not standing up to mother and wife considering walking away due to family issues and Jesus card.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother, causing marital tension.

Comment discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother, with the wife feeling frustrated and considering walking away.

Comment on a forum expressing concern about a husband not standing up to his mother while wife considers walking away.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a husband not standing up to his mother, causing marital tension.

Comment about husband not standing up to his mother, wife considering walking away, highlighting family and protection issues.

Comment on relationship struggles where husband won’t stand up to mother, and wife considers walking away.

The mom-to-be revealed that she’d decided to draw boundaries after the feedback she received

Text excerpt describing a wife setting boundaries with her selfish mother-in-law and husband not standing up to her.

Text excerpt about stopping communication due to manipulation in husband and mother-in-law conflict.

Text excerpt discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother, frustrating his wife and causing relationship strain.

Image credits: Longjumping_Pass8688

Then she said that her mother-in-law had struck again!

Woman sitting on couch looking upset, holding phone and vape, reflecting tension in relationship with husband and mother.

Image credits: shotprime / Envato (not the actual photo)

Screenshot of a discussion about a husband not standing up to his mother during pregnancy, causing marital tension.

Text about stopping contact with in-laws due to invasive prayers around a gender, highlighting family conflict issues.

Text on white background quoting frustration about inappropriate response with thanks for sharing your heart.

Text excerpt discussing a husband’s mother using their Jesus card and the wife feeling uncertain about their relationship.

Text message discussing a mother-in-law involving the husband and requesting baby scan pictures.

Text excerpt about wife considering walking away as husband won’t stand up to his mother who used their Jesus card.

Text excerpt about a husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away due to manipulation.

Text excerpt showing a wife feeling manipulated and frustrated as her husband won’t stand up to his mother.

Text post expressing frustration about pregnancy plans and guests, highlighting husband not standing up to mother.

Pregnant woman looks frustrated while husband won’t stand up to his mother, causing tension in their relationship at home.

Image credits: LightFieldStudios / Envato (not the actual photo)

Alt text: Wife feels husband won’t stand up to his mother’s manipulative tactics using the Jesus card during her pregnancy.

Text image with the message asking for advice, highlighting issues of a husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away.

Image credits: Longjumping_Pass8688

“You have a husband problem”: There was no shortage of advice for the woman

Husband won’t stand up to his mother, wife feels stressed and considers walking away from the relationship.

Online discussion about a husband not standing up to his mother while wife considers walking away from the relationship.

Woman expressing frustration about husband not standing up to his mother during pregnancy and considering walking away.

Online discussion about husband not standing up to mother, with wife considering walking away over family conflicts.

Screenshot of a forum comment advising low contact approach as husband won’t stand up to his mother in family conflict.

Screenshot of a comment about a husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away.

Comment about husband not standing up to mother and wife considering walking away, discussing relationship issues.

Comment discussing husband’s struggle to stand up to his mother and wife considering walking away from the situation.

Comment expressing frustration about husband not standing up to his mother, causing stress in the relationship.

Screenshot of a comment advising a wife to address her husband’s refusal to stand up to his mother and consider counseling.

Comment advising therapy for wife to find her voice as husband won’t stand up to his mother causing stress.

Text post discussing husband’s lack of boundaries with mother causing marriage tension and wife considering walking away.

Comment about husband who won’t stand up to his mother while wife considers walking away due to family conflict.

Comment discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother and a wife considering walking away from the relationship.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother and the wife’s frustration.

Screenshot of a detailed comment criticizing a husband for not standing up to his mother in a family conflict.

Comment discussing entitlement and respect issues between husband, mother, and wife in family conflicts involving the Jesus card.

Comment discussing husband not standing up to his mother during pregnancy, wife considering walking away from situation.

Forum comment discussing manipulation and husband’s failure to stand up to mother affecting wife’s boundaries.

Screenshot of online comment discussing husband’s issue standing up to his toxic emotional mother.

Comment on a forum post discussing issues with a husband who won’t stand up to his mother, wife considering walking away.

Comment text discussing husband’s failure to stand up to his mother, causing wife to consider walking away from marriage.

Comment about husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away in a digital text screenshot.

Comment advising a wife to set boundaries with husband and mother during childbirth, highlighting issues of control and support.

The woman revealed she was on her “last straw” and was fed up with her “delusional” husband

Couple arguing on couch near Christmas tree, wife upset as husband won’t stand up to his mother in tense moment.

Image credits: zamrznutitonovi / Envato (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt about husband not standing up to mother, wife considering walking away, mentioning in-laws used their Jesus card.

Text excerpt about a husband not standing up to his mother causing upset, highlighting relationship tension.

Text discussing a fake apology, pregnancy struggles, miscarriages, and the importance of having a healthy baby.

Pregnant woman sharing excitement about 4D baby scan, husband not standing up to mother, wife considering walking away.

Text excerpt with husband refusing to stand up to his mother, wife considering walking away from the relationship.

Text expressing deep upset about husband's parents doing nothing for the couple, highlighting family conflict issues.

Wife expressing frustration, considering leaving husband who won’t stand up to his mother after using their Jesus card.

Pregnant woman feeling emotionally drained while husband won’t stand up to his mother, causing relationship tension.

Woman looking upset and contemplative at home, reflecting on husband not standing up to his mother and relationship struggles.

Image credits: drazenphoto / Envato (not the actual photo)

Alt text: Emotional wife seeking advice as husband won’t stand up to his mother, considering walking away from relationship.

Text on a plain background reading why do people who overstep get privileged information despite being terrible.

Image credits: Longjumping_Pass8688

People came forward to support the mom-to-be, and some had similar stories

Reddit comment discussing a husband not standing up to his mother and relationship struggles in couples therapy.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment where a wife threatens to leave her husband over his lack of boundaries with his mother.

Comment discussing husband not standing up to his mother and wife considering walking away from the relationship.

Screenshot of an online comment advising to see husband’s therapy session before making a decision about the relationship.

Comment text stating hope that therapy helps husband prioritize his wife and baby over his mother’s influence.

Wife considers walking away as husband won’t stand up to his mother using his Jesus card in family conflict.

Comment expressing frustration about husbands who won’t stand up to their mothers, causing wives to consider walking away.

Advice on setting boundaries with husband’s mother who used their Jesus card, wife considering walking away from marriage.

Comment discussing husband not standing up to his mother and wife feeling upset about family boundaries and overstepping behavior.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a husband who won’t stand up to his mother in a strained relationship.

Comment text discussing a husband not standing up to his mother and a wife considering walking away.

Comment expressing sympathy for a wife dealing with a husband who won’t stand up to his mother.

Deal with your in-law issues before giving birth…

Once you have a baby, your in-laws are not just your in-laws anymore. They’re your child’s grandparents. This can be a good or bad thing depending on who your in-laws are and how they behave.

On the positive side, in-laws can provide a much-needed support system once the baby arrives. But you’ll need to see eye-to-eye in order for this to work. You can forget about smooth sailing if you’re already facing endless family drama.

That’s why boundaries are important. And experts advise setting them before the baby is born. The first step is to have an open, honest conversation with your partner. You’ll need to be on the same page so that you can present a united front.

Then decide what your boundaries will be… “These can be whatever you feel comfortable with, because remember: You’re the mom, so you make the rules,” advises Mom.com. “The in-law boundaries you set can be anything you want. How much do you want to share with them about your pregnancy? Start with what’s going on in the present, and go from there.”

Middle-aged woman with glasses and younger woman smiling outdoors under leafy trees, reflecting husband and mother tension.

Image credits: Ben Iwara / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

You should also discuss everyone’s expectations for when the baby arrives so that you aren’t dealing with issues while in labor. Make it clear who will be in the delivery room with you, when family can start visiting, etc.

“Giving birth is not a spectator sport; it’s a medical procedure,” notes the site. “If you’re not comfortable with your in-laws being in the room (or even in the hospital), you’re the one who makes that call, and your partner should back you up on this.”

Don’t forget to address other important issues, like who makes the birth announcement, whether you’re comfortable with photos being shared on social media, or anything else you feel strongly about.

“Set your boundaries, make them clear, and keep the lines of communication open from here on out. There will certainly be bumps in the road along the way, but hopefully, you’ll find that working for better in-law relationships and having that family support is well worth it,” notes the site.

“I think I’m done”: She provided another update after going to therapy

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about a husband not standing up to his mother and a wife considering walking away.

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Robyn is an award-winning journalist who has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is obsessed with travel and the allure of new places. A lover of words and visuals, Robyn is part of the Bored Panda writing team. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa & the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

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I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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What do you think ?

POST

LakotaWolf (she/her) Premium 3 months ago (edited)

Holy hell, I checked OP's Reddit account for updates and found THIS post of hers from 3 months ago: "My husband was amazing during my 9 month pregnancy journey or SO I THOUGHT.. but he was secretly using pórn and Instagram reels of half naked women to 'cope' with my pregnancy he said. I found this all out while 2 weeks into post partum. I feel flustered…. Apart of me wants to end this because we have already done therapy for his addictions and he stopped therapy for himself because he dealt with it. He obv clearly didn’t because he resorted back to it while I was pregnant. I find this so disrespectful and do terrible. After confronting him he was perfectly fine ending our marriage and co parenting and then when I reminded him of all the things I do for him… he was silent and then decided he 'wants to fight for our marriage'." --- so there is MORE going on than crazy MIL. Throw the ENTIRE man out at this point! D:

14points

KatSaidThat 3 months ago

Thanks - now I actually want to give her a wake up slap.

12points

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Otto Katz 3 months ago

So, which is it? P**n, or his family? Why isn't she complaining about the p**n in this story, or his family in the p**n post?Or is she just making up stories for commiseration? Because now I don't believe either story.

2points

JB 2 months ago (edited)

I was already wavering on her being an unreliable narrator but this cements it for me. At the end of this string of post+ updates, OP was still pregnant and right on the edge of divorce. That doesn’t align with a new post starting, “my husband was amazing during my 9 month pregnancy journey”. She makes a huge deal about how she doesn’t tolerate any gender bias, all that matters is a healthy baby. The first update on this post was made 256 days ago on Reddit, 2 days later, *she* posted “Gender disappointment is real”; the post is about how she always wanted a girl and is disappointed her baby is a boy, while still bıtching at her in-laws for praying for a boy. They are horrible people if they pray for a boy but it’s perfectly fine if she wishes she was having a girl, pure hypocrisy. It’s normal for people to chauffeur visiting family around, you’re familiar with the area, the only fair point she made was husband should have taken time off. Nobody forced her to eat the salmon. She already disliked MIL, so what if she sheds a few tears? Yet it’s hubs who has no spine when he caves to MIL. The nerve of the in-laws to buy 100 wings for her to cook! FFS, pre-heat the oven, cook two batches of 50 at a time is hardly s***e labour, meanwhile they handled the rest of thanksgiving dinner, and what stopped her from getting hubs to help? She rages about him wanting to share any info with his family, while keeping her family updated because it’s MY pregnancy. Anything medical, sure, no one but her has the right to share but she’s acting like he isn’t at all involved so has no right to share the same info with his family as she does with hers, more hypocrisy.

1point

SheamusFanFrom1987 2 months ago

With that update: I don't like to say this, but at this point, I hope OP fights AGAINST their marriage instead...! -_-"

0points

Robyn Hill 3 months ago

I hope she documents everything and files for sole custody, no visitation rights for the husband and his family. Otherwise, she’ll be dealing with this for.e.ver.

7points

FreeTheUnicorn 3 months ago

OP doesn't mention any type of therapy or anything for the husband about his childhood. Fix that immediately as a requirement. It takes a long time to find the right therapist and even longer to get to the healing so start yesterday. As for in laws, don't let them around the baby ever. Get a restraining order and cite husbands a***e.

5points

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POST

LakotaWolf (she/her) Premium 3 months ago (edited)

14points

KatSaidThat 3 months ago

Thanks - now I actually want to give her a wake up slap.

12points

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Otto Katz 3 months ago

2points

JB 2 months ago (edited)

1point

SheamusFanFrom1987 2 months ago

With that update: I don't like to say this, but at this point, I hope OP fights AGAINST their marriage instead...! -_-"

0points

Robyn Hill 3 months ago

I hope she documents everything and files for sole custody, no visitation rights for the husband and his family. Otherwise, she’ll be dealing with this for.e.ver.

7points

FreeTheUnicorn 3 months ago

5points

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“I’m On My Last Straw”: MIL’s Prayers For A Baby Grandson Backfire As Pregnant Daughter-In-Law Cuts Contact

She’s livid that her mother-in-law prayed for her to have a son

Now that she’s pregnant, she refuses to tell her MIL the baby’s gender, but it’s causing huge problems in her marriage

“It’s actually disturbing”: The woman gave more info when prompted by netizens

Many felt the husband needed professional help

The mom-to-be revealed that she’d decided to draw boundaries after the feedback she received

Then she said that her mother-in-law had struck again!

“You have a husband problem”: There was no shortage of advice for the woman

The woman revealed she was on her “last straw” and was fed up with her “delusional” husband

People came forward to support the mom-to-be, and some had similar stories

Deal with your in-law issues before giving birth…

“I think I’m done”: She provided another update after going to therapy

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