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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I unreasonable for being offended

157 replies

Lola9212 · 30/01/2026 18:16

I am pregnant with my third baby and already have two kind and curious boys. We recently found out I am having a third boy and we are truly excited and delighted. I hadn’t told anyone the gender and asked for final guesses through sharing a black and white photo and scan to my close family. My mother sent me this message:

‘Been out with the girls for dinner, pretty hard to guess from this unisex outfit in black and white. Would love it to be a girl as having daughters I’ve found (most of the time 😂) pretty special but you have beautiful babies and as long as healthy we will be grateful and no matter what will be well loved. 🥰 But would love to know….’

This message hit me a bit for a few reasons. I have a brother (so found it mildly offensive to him), I have two beautiful boys already who are the light of life and my third baby boy on the way. I feel like she should have kept her preferences to herself and I feel defensive of all the boys in my life. Especially because she would have known there was at least 50 percent chance I’m having another boy and it almost feels like she took the moment away by making it clear that in her view a boy is less special. Am I overreacting? She knows we’re having a boy now (we did the reveal in a group chat) and I haven’t acknowledged her message. Any suggestions on how to take this forward?

OP posts:
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Aligirlbear · 02/02/2026 14:47

But you asked for guesses and your mum gave you a well balanced and tactful answer. YABU.

FunnyOrca · 02/02/2026 11:17

As most pps have said… you asked for guesses. Your mother was engaging in a conversation you initiated.

VanityUnit66 · 31/01/2026 23:54

Don’t play weird attention seeking games about your babies sex if you are going to be upset when people respond. And for what it’s worth l think your mums message was sweet.

statetrooperstacey · 31/01/2026 21:30

It’s your third!! Just grow it and push it out. Suggestions to take this forward?? Get over yourself , stop treating It like it’s your first rodeo, leave your mum alone, it was a nice message, and It’s genuinely not that exciting , there are only 2 choices. It’s going to be one or the other .

BitOutOfPractice · 31/01/2026 13:27

You “take this forward” by doing nothing but responding with a heart to your mom’s message.

Unless you really are spoiling for a fight.

Applecup · 31/01/2026 13:01

I guess that as long as she is doing all the work you can think that you are paying her for 'the job done' rather than per hour. I have had both. When I was paying for the job being done I was less bothered when the cleaner used to stand chatting to me for ages, compared to my cleaner who worked by the hour.

BadgernTheGarden · 31/01/2026 12:58

Why shouldn't she like the idea of a grand daughter this time? Another boy is lovely but a girl would be a twist on a good thing. It's not denigrating to all the boys in her life to say girls are special too. If she'd said I'd really love another boy, I would have been more upset that she favours boys over girls.

Nannyfannybanny · 31/01/2026 12:53

"Only has boys"????

GrillaMilla · 31/01/2026 12:53

The OP wasn't asking for her mum's preference.
Can you have a 'special' relationship with a son? Feels like a boy is second best.
I'm with you OP.

Nannyfannybanny · 31/01/2026 12:51

You are unreasonable yes, message was lovely
There are apparently over 80 genders now, but babies actually come in 2 sexes male and female.

Fairyliz · 31/01/2026 12:50

@Lola9212 it seems like you are not coming back, I assume it’s because you feel a bit daft now.
Buy your mum a bunch of flowers from the supermarket and give her a big hug and tell her you love her.

StylishAndBeautiful · 31/01/2026 12:46

@LemaxObsessive , had it been my DD who'd asked 'guess the sex' and she had 2 boys, I'd have probably thought it was a girl. The OP's mother was saying OP is special to her mother.

As pp, Looking for offence here is so unreasonable.

I think OP is unreasonable, because her message to guess the sex was bound to get comments.

shhblackbag · 31/01/2026 12:41

LemaxObsessive · 31/01/2026 12:29

I’m gobsmacked at all the responses here, defending a mother saying “…having girls is pretty special….” to her DD who only has boys… Hmm

It's a mother complimenting her daughter. OP is special to her mother. Looking for offense here is so unreasonable.

LemaxObsessive · 31/01/2026 12:29

I’m gobsmacked at all the responses here, defending a mother saying “…having girls is pretty special….” to her DD who only has boys… Hmm

BalloonsBubbles654 · 31/01/2026 12:18

Play silly games, win silly prizes

daisychain01 · 31/01/2026 12:16

She was referring to you in a complimentary way, which wasn't some sort of slight on your brother. How can you see her remark as anything other than lovely. And she pointed out that all your children are special and all she wished for was for them to be healthy.

talk about trying to find a problem that doesn't exist!

ETA - and she didn't have a clue about the sex of your unborn child so was having to dance around a pile of eggshells you'd laid down for her by hedging her bets as best she could.

bellabasset · 31/01/2026 12:10

I think your mum just loves your children irrespective of their sex. She might enjoy choosing girls clothes though.

kerstina · 31/01/2026 12:10

Also if she had been out maybe alcohol had loosened her tongue

kerstina · 31/01/2026 12:07

When I was pregnant with DS I had said my preference was a DD purely because I would have loved the close relationship I have always had with my late DM . She obviously feels like that about you . Maybe it hit a nerve.

Ukefluke · 31/01/2026 12:00

Being easily offended was 5 miles back. Seriously.

Alpacajigsaw · 31/01/2026 11:47

Honestly I don’t think there’s a lot wrong with it. She’ll love your boy regardless just as I’m sure she loves your existing 2 but thought a girl might be nice. That’s all. I’m sure she doesn’t love your brother any less than her daughters

Hankunamatata · 31/01/2026 11:43

Stop asking for guesses!!!

TheNinjaWife · 31/01/2026 11:42

olympicsrock · 30/01/2026 18:28

She is saying you are a wonderful daughter ( so a girl would be good) and equally you make beautiful boys ( so a boy would be good) .

This is exactly what I thought. I’m not sure how she could have worded it any nicer. As a mother of a daughter I’d be really hurt if I sent a message like that and it was taken the way you have interpreted it.

nothanks2026 · 31/01/2026 11:35

Floatlikeafeather2 · 31/01/2026 10:21

OP, do you often set little traps for your family, so that you always have a stick to beat them with?

Yes, it does look like this. Hopefully it's not typical behaviour, but an aberration. And I hope she didn't harass her poor mother for no reason.

Boomer55 · 31/01/2026 10:22

No, I don’t think the comment from your mum was offensive, so, yeah, I do think you’re being unreasonable to be offended.