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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Bad reaction to pregnancy announcement

442 replies

Familydrama25 · 04/07/2025 01:48

Username changed for this.
Sorry it's a long one to get it all out.

For reference I'm 27 with a 5 year old. I was already apprehensive about telling my family and my fears came true. And when I say family, I mean more my mum. I'm 18 weeks and held off as long as I could.

She had a suspicion recently and went "you're not pregnant are you, you better not be pregnant". At first I thought it was an opening but her wording put me on the defensive. I decided I will come down with some scan photos delivering the news a bit more how I would like and with my parents together - and I'm glad I did because my dad acted as some sort of neutraliser in all this.

I presented the photos and said how there's going to be a new member of the family by Christmas. She just said "why". I didn't really know how to respond to this. Dad moved it on, oh let's look at the pictures then. I don't even recall her even looking at the photos actually. I think she got up to do the dishes. From the kitchen she goes "take it you didn't take any precautions then", leaving my dad and I awkwardly looking at each other. He moved it on asking when it's due. "It better not be around Christmas" she pipes up and then made a dramatic sigh when I said 1st December. She told me how unfair this is on the child to share birthday and Christmas so close together. Despite them knowing I'm with someone, she goes "do you even know who the dad is". I clarified it was him but she clearly doesn't view me in a good light.

She then wants to plan a family holiday next year for us. And a bit child like she goes "I wanted to go Disney next year". I said we can still go. She replies well that was for (name of my ds). This was one of the first things she said and I still can't see how it's relevant. If anything it sounds like she's already excluding the unborn one!

In the end I just said can't you be happy for me and she replies a blunt "no". And a "why would I be".

I didn't expect her to be jumping with joy, but she couldn't even keep it neutral, especially knowing it's a moment that stays with you. Last time her response was "what have you done that for" but I was 21 so understand I was just starting out in life. I know I'm still young and it feels like she's mad at me for having done it again.

In all honesty the decision for me to go ahead with this pregnancy was a hard one. It was all about her but it would have been nice to be asked how I was feeling. In an ideal world, I would have liked to have been able to open up to her months ago and get some support around what to do but I think I've accepted she's not the one to do this with. It saddens me that she's actually the last person that I can come to with anything emotionally.

Recently her friend gave her some news about getting married and I had her friend call me up asking if she was ok because she didn't respond as how you would expect. So maybe it's not just me?

What would you do from here? It makes me want to distance myself but I'm still determined to go back and patch things up. It's a lot to take in and she's never been one at handling her emotions well.

AIBU - she has her reasons to lash out
YNBU - there was no need to say all those comments. There's better ways at going about expressing your concerns.

OP posts:
Thedoorisalwaysopen · 04/07/2025 07:42

Do you work and support yourself and your child 100% yourself? Is mum involved in childcare?

Neetra30 · 04/07/2025 07:42

Context is needed.
Who do you live with? Because if you are still living with your parents and relying on then for childcare, I understand why your mum would react in that way.

DeemonLlama · 04/07/2025 07:42

I think it depends on whether you still live with your parents or are independent and have your own home and income? If you live with them their lives will be also be hugely impacted by the arrival of a new baby? Maybe they really struggled when this happened the first time around. You've not said what the living situation is or how old they are or whether you work and can provide for yourself and 2 kids? This might all be a factor in her reaction if for example she thinks her and your dad will have to pay out for it all if you are not independent? So without those details people shouldn't really judge her behaviour maybe as there might be other factors here? If you are independent and living either on your own if with your partner and paying your own way then yes she's unreasonable.

spicedapplestew · 04/07/2025 07:43

I think OP not having come back this far in to say that she lives independently, doesn't take a cent off her parents and her mother doesn't do any childcare is telling.

concreteschoolyard · 04/07/2025 07:45

Do you live with your mum? Does she help you with childcare?

CandidRaven · 04/07/2025 07:46

What a miserable woman your mother is, imagine being disappointed that your adult daughter is pregnant with your grandchild! I'm so sorry she has reacted in that way, I've never understood why other people express disappointment for someone else's pregnancy and babies are a gift and to be celebrated, I'd be furious if my mum had acted that way but she was happy for me even when I announced I was pregnant with my fourth!

Dearg · 04/07/2025 07:47

I’ve read your post a couple of times now and it does seem there is information missing - do you live with your parents? Do they support you? Do you work? Why did she previously suspect your pregnancy?

One thing that struck me is that you waited until 18 weeks to tell her - were you perhaps concerned that she would pressurise you into a termination?

On the face of it, your mother comes across as horrible, but it may be that she has reason to be concerned.

Meantime, I hope you have a smooth pregnancy and enjoy your little one when the time comes.

ParmaVioletTea · 04/07/2025 07:48

You don't talk about your first child's father nor the father of this second pregnancy. Are you earning? Have you been in training or education in order to support yourself? Do you still live at home?

If you're not married or in a long-tern partnership, still living at home and without further education, then I'm with your mother.

If you have a partner who is capable of supporting you and his child (children? same father/different father?) and you have plans for a life beyond simply reproducing, then yes, she is behaving very meanly.

(But sometimes women find the arrival of grandchildren shocks them by their visceral realisation of ageing and being replaced. Ageing isn't easy - wait till you get there.)

Blinkingbother · 04/07/2025 07:50

Whilst her reaction is unpleasant can I ask a couple of questions? Are you financially able to support another child (without using state help)? Has she even met your partner? Assuming not, how long have you been with him? Does she already help you out with childcare?….. a few other considerations here that whilst not excusing her reaction, may well explain it!

spicedapplestew · 04/07/2025 07:51

ParmaVioletTea · 04/07/2025 07:48

You don't talk about your first child's father nor the father of this second pregnancy. Are you earning? Have you been in training or education in order to support yourself? Do you still live at home?

If you're not married or in a long-tern partnership, still living at home and without further education, then I'm with your mother.

If you have a partner who is capable of supporting you and his child (children? same father/different father?) and you have plans for a life beyond simply reproducing, then yes, she is behaving very meanly.

(But sometimes women find the arrival of grandchildren shocks them by their visceral realisation of ageing and being replaced. Ageing isn't easy - wait till you get there.)

Being replaced? We're not being replaced. In general grandchildren and expanding families just add richness to our life.

However, while I wouldn't react the way OP's mother has, I have a DD at home with disabilities. If she has a baby, I know I'm having a baby because a lot of responsibility and cost is going to fall on me. So I totally understand not being happy about it.

ParmaVioletTea · 04/07/2025 07:56

@spicedapplestew - please note I said "sometimes" and that it can shock women - a feeling they weren't expecting that comes apparently out of nowhere. I've talked to friends who've admitted they felt this, at the same time as being really happy for their daughter. Humans are capable of having different & conflicting feelings.

SameDayNewName · 04/07/2025 07:56

Congratulations on your pregnancy OP! How lovely for you, your DP and your existing child to have a sibling!

Your mum's reaction was really weird and horrible, she doesn't sound like a nice person, sorry.

Also, 27 isn't young to be having a baby - I'd actually say it's the perfect age x

OverheardInAWhisper · 04/07/2025 07:57

It’s significant that you’ve said nothing about your circumstances. Absolutely, your mother could have been kinder, but if this is a second unplanned pregnancy, you aren’t able to support another child, you’re living with them and/or rely heavily on them for childcare etc, I can see why she didn’t rise to the occasion. I mean, maybe she’s just negative, but maybe she has a point.

Ellie1015 · 04/07/2025 08:02

As others have said only reasons to have that reaction is if she is heavily involved with childcare, you live at home/have financial struggles or father is not a good partner.

Otherwise she is completely unreasonable and just ignore.

MummaMummaMumma · 04/07/2025 08:04

I am assuming you live with her? Then yes, she is very much affected by this.
If you don't live with her, she's a disgusted mum and someone I wouldn't really want to spend time with.

chatgptsbestmate · 04/07/2025 08:05

I'm assuming there's a MASSIVE chunk of information missing

However IF you are financially independent from your parents, financially safe, living separately from your parents and easily paying your own bills, have a good job and a supportive partner .....your Mother's reaction makes zero sense and could be cruel

As I say.....there is IMO bound to be a backstory which you've deliberately omitted

Netmumnet · 04/07/2025 08:15

I think you've omitted loads of details to vent and get strangers to side with you.

By default I'm gonna have to say you are being unreasonable.

CuriousKangaroo · 04/07/2025 08:16

On the face of it, her reaction seems off. However, and it’s a big however, you have not provided any context here. There are so many scenarios in which her reaction might be fairer than it seems. When you had your first baby, did it throw your life off track such that she hoped that your life would start getting better now he’s older? Is the new baby’s father a wrong’un so she thinks you can do better than tying yourself to someone useless/awful? Is the relationship unsettled in some way? Do you live with your parents and still intend to do so after the baby is born? Do you and your partner work? Frankly, no one can properly judge without knowing the background.

spicedapplestew · 04/07/2025 08:16

ParmaVioletTea · 04/07/2025 07:56

@spicedapplestew - please note I said "sometimes" and that it can shock women - a feeling they weren't expecting that comes apparently out of nowhere. I've talked to friends who've admitted they felt this, at the same time as being really happy for their daughter. Humans are capable of having different & conflicting feelings.

I get that they might feel that way but it seems strange to not realise you're getting older and have children of childbearing age, so it could happen. Or feeling replaced seems like the feelings of someone whose sense of self-importance is a bit inflated to start with?

My mother was 40 when she became a grandmother the first time. I don't have any grandchildren but, at 52, feel like I'm well and truly of an age where being a grandmother is happening at a later stage of my life. Not that I give it much thought as it's not my life or decision if or when that happens.

harriethoyle · 04/07/2025 08:17

I suspect that there is a MASSIVE backstory here that @Familydrama25 is deliberately excluding so everyone says her mum is a complete cow. I don’t buy it personally. I’d love to hear granny’s side of the story…

housethatbuiltme · 04/07/2025 08:17

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Don't let anyone ruin the wonder of motherhood for you, your mother is clearly just bitter for whatever reason but her opinions on your fertility doesn't matter.

Cynic17 · 04/07/2025 08:18

Well, for a start, I'd be ditching the idea of any more "family holidays"! Just keep her at a distance.

pourmeadrinkpls · 04/07/2025 08:19

I'm confused, what is her issue? Is it the same father as the first child? Is the father a good guy? Do you have a job? Can you afford it? Do you have a suitable home? Are you a good mum to the child you have? There mist be more to it? Or else of course she's being UR

Citroenc1 · 04/07/2025 08:21

really hard to comment. Are you in secure employment and in a stable relationship with needing minimal help from your mum?

Of are you a single parent, dad of the baby not on the scene, hugely dependent on your parents for various reasons. If it's the latter, I can understand your mum to some extend (but agree, she still could have been kinder).

Just odd you didn't mention any of the back story.

Lilactimes · 04/07/2025 08:21

Hi @Familydrama25 - again I would echo main of the other comments.
How involved is your partner? Are you financially independent? How involved is your mum in supporting your DS and are you expecting her to look after your baby whilst you work?

If you’re completely independent then she’s being unreasonable and the behaviour is off - but I imagine this decision is going to impact her own life to a certain extent - maybe a lot - and she may be tired and looking for some time for herself 🤷‍♀️

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