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AIBU?

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MIL took a photo of my child with a stranger

113 replies

Cookiemonster81 · 07/06/2024 12:34

We were out with my in-laws last weekend. Stopped for some food in a small grassy area and as we were finishing up another family came and sat by us. The mother gave her children some little bubble machines to play with and my toddler got very excited so started playing with the children (with the families consent). At one point my DS went and just sat on the lap of the mother - I think she had her phone in her hand and he hasn't grasped that you can't just look at everyone's phones yet.
She was really lovely about it and entertained him for a minute, before I decided that as we had finished we would leave because I didn't want my child disturbing this family for ages.

Then later that night I get a couple of photos sent over from my MIL of my son sitting on this woman's lap. It might sound silly but I instantly burst into tears because my self esteem is at an all time low and I don't have a single photo of me and my child that I like, yet here he looked so happy with this total stranger, it was a nice picture. If it was me and my child I would have been really happy. MIL has never sent a photo of me playing with my son.

A week on and I still feel gutted. It's really got me down. I don't know if she did it on purpose, I doubt it really, but why the fuck would you take a photo of a total stranger that we spent about 5 minutes with and further, why the fuck do you think I'd want it. What are you expecting me to do with that photo. I was there, stood chatting with the woman, I saw it.

AIBU to be so bothered by this, given that MIL knows how I feel about things at the moment or do I just need to stop sulking and forget it.

OP posts:
ManilowBarry · 07/06/2024 12:40

Your mum was taking a photo of her grandchild during a day out. I doubt she gave a second thought to the woman.

That's really over sensitive of you but if it's an issue foe you why don't you ask her to take some photos of you and your child together?

Bursting into tears over an innocent photo is very extreme so there must be other things going on that need addressing otherwise it's going to have an impact on your child and your relationship with your family.

Maray1967 · 07/06/2024 12:40

Are you certain that she has done it to annoy/upset you? If not, it might be a bit thoughtless, but I’d let it go- and get your DH to take some photos of you.

Rebusmyfire · 07/06/2024 12:39

Your MIL took a photo of a moment in time - a happy unexpected moment of fun with your toddler happy and being confident. This was probably joyous for your MIL to watch a d she was being proud grandma.

I think your low self esteem is really impacting your view on this. How are other things in life going? I hope you are OK, but if not do get help and support

sandorschicken · 07/06/2024 12:39

You're overthinking it. It's just a nice picture of your son. It isn't taking away from the fact that you're his mummy, this lady is a stranger and he loves you the absolute most out of everyone in the world!

BigBoysDontCry · 07/06/2024 12:39

If it's a nice picture of your child then I'd just crop it and save it. I'm sure your MIL is simply thinking that your little one looks nice in the photo and has sent it on.

Not everything has to be about you and your feelings but appreciate it's hard when you aren't feeling the best about yourself.

I really don't see that she has done this to hurt you unless there is a huge backstory.

WhingeInTheWillows · 07/06/2024 12:39

If you don’t think she did it on purpose then maybe she sent it because she thought you’d like it. Sounds like your DS was having fun and interacting with a nice person and maybe she though it was a nice photo.

SilverSimca · 07/06/2024 12:38

why the fuck do you think I'd want it. What are you expecting me to do with that photo. I was there, stood chatting with the woman, I saw it.

Presumably she thought it was a nice pic of your child. You say yourself he looked happy in the picture.

NanFlanders · 07/06/2024 12:38

Well, you feel what you feel, but it sounds like it was just a sweet interaction and your MIL sent the photo of a reminder of a happy day. It's exhausting having a toddler though and sometimes things can touch a nerve.

WimpoleHat · 07/06/2024 12:38

I’m sorry you’re feeling low. But your MIL hasn’t done anything wrong. She saw a nice moment. She snapped it. It came out well. So she thought you’d like to see it. Please don’t overthink it!

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 07/06/2024 12:37

It’s just a memento of a nice day out, with someone being kind to your child, nothing more, nothing less.

JustWannaBeWorthIt · 07/06/2024 12:36

Umm this is the nonnest of non issues.

Your issues of self esteem don't get to dictate other peoples actions. Many many people would like to be sent a photo of their child enjoying themselves.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 07/06/2024 12:35

Couldn't get worked up about this tbh

User0311 · 07/06/2024 12:35

I wouldn't be happy about this, your feelings are completely valid!

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