Unsupportive parents

[beehappy19]

My parents are quite old school and only had 1 child and don’t really understand why anyone would want more than 1. They have made comments in the past about other people just enjoying the child they have already instead of trying for a second child etc. fair enough you could say as that is their opinion!?

Being an only child myself I always wanted more than 1 child and I’m currently pregnant with baby number 2 and due very soon. I’ve started to just express my feelings on trying to not let my daughter feel left out when the new baby comes and how I know it will probably be quite tough in the beginning with the lack of sleep and us all adjusting to having a baby in the house. Whenever I say anything along these lines my parents look at me and just say “well you wanted this” or “just remember this is what you wanted”. They say it with a straight face and look me dead in the eye and it isn’t said in a nice way at all. These comments have been made to me multiple times.

When I say these things I’m in no way complaining at all just sort of thinking out loud. I obviously very much wanted a second child and feel very lucky however these comments are starting to really annoy me! It just doesn’t feel like they are supportive at all. They have already made it clear they won’t look after this baby like they did my little girl (1 day a week when I’m back at work) which is fine the new baby will go to nursery an extra day but it just feels like they are against me and didn’t want me to have another baby.

Am I being unreasonable feeling upset with them?

That is a very odd position for them to take.
Have they been wholesome, supportive parents until this point? If so that is a blessing I guess. But it is always a shock to the system to discover how strange/ cruel/ unfeeling our parents can be when it makes no logical sense.
Hopefully when your lo is born they will fall in love with them and be restored to normality! But give them as much space as you need during your pregnancy or their attitude could make you quite depressed. Don't use up too much energy trying to work out this weird quirk, and spend it keeping your own spirits up and yourself and babas healthy.

They sound really weird - two children is a perfectly normal number to have, as of course is one.

Will they be watching your eldest while your youngest is at nursery? I'd watch that, sounds like they'll play favourites.

Could you laugh it off? Tease them about their unusual stance?

Of course, once the baby is here they may fall in love and all will be fine.

@Achillo yes mostly supportive although they are just very opinionated so if it doesn’t fit with what they believe then they don’t agree! They never thought I’d have a second child and apparently my dad had a conversation with my husband asking him if having a second child was really worth it! I’m going to try and keep away from them as much as possible at the moment I think.

@ColleenDonaghy I know, I agree having 2 children for most people is completely normal.
No they won’t be as when this baby starts at nursery and I’m back at work my daughter will be at full time school. My husband thinks they should look after this baby like they did for our daughter but I won’t be asking them as it will just be thrown in my face “this is what you chose”. I do really hope they don’t play favourites!