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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Need some advice/insight on how to deal with situation with partners parents

5 replies

Mystery35 · 28/11/2017 16:15

I am really struggle with how to move forward from this and wanted to get some advice. I am 35 years old and 3.5 months pregnant. My partner and I are both going to be first time parents. My partner and I are both atheist but he grew up in a very conservative Catholic home while I grew up with two very progressive parents, Jewish (white, German) and Catholic (Caribbean and French), who were didn't seem to care that I was declaring atheist and stop going with them to organized religious activities at the age of 10. So anyway my partner told his parents about the pregnancy last week about a week prior to us visiting. They expressed a number of concerns and asked if we were planning to get married. Neither of us feel the need to involve the government in our personal/relationship matters and don't feel the need to get married and so he told them no. We went to visit, spent about 4 days with them- they were nice and cordial during the visit, no real issues or discussion, they didn't even really acknowledge that I was expecting. On the ride home my partner tells me that he and his father had a discussion while they were out during yard work and that his dad said, "This is really hard on us. Have you two thought of all of your options. You could get married. You could give the baby up for adoption." When my partner told me about the adoption comment I took deep personal offense to his parents having the audacity to actually suggest that a 35 year old PhD woman, making a six figured income, put her child up for adoption because the paternal grandparents are worried about their reputation for having a mixed race bastard child. He (my partner) came to their defense saying that I have to understand that they are very traditional and conservative and they weren't sure if I was prepared to raise a child, which frankly doesn't hold water with me. His parents are very much aware of my profession, my financial situation, my earning potential and so I find it deeply disturbing that they would actually suggest that I carry a baby in my body for 9 months and then hand it over to a stranger. I have not been able to move past this though and part of me feels bad but the other part has serious concerns about allow these people to be a part of my child's life. My mom died from cancer when I was 11 yo and my dad while I was in college and so they are going to be his only grandparents but I am having serious reservations about letting them interact with my child. These are the same people who didn't find it hard to have a white daughter in law (my partner married young and divorced after 3 years or so) who was a meth addict, sleeping with her drug dealer and other men while she was married to their son and yet have the nerve to be concerned about their reputation of having a mixed raced "bastard" grandchild. I am just trying to figure out how to move forward from this when I have nothing but negative thoughts and rage about their audacity. Am I being unreasonable or taking this too personal?

OP posts:
ArkadyRose · 28/11/2017 17:08

For a start, I'd tell your DH that you don't want to hear another word of what they've said about you. Make it clear to him that they are his parents and it's up to him to handle them. When in their company be polite, but if they start talking about marriage I'd cut them off firmly, saying "That's not for us, thank you." Repeat this - use the "broken record" tactic.

If they carry on pushing, try variants such as "I've already made my position clear; it's rather rude to keep asking, don't you think?" "This isn't a discussion and I'm not going to debate it with you", or even simply "Wow." Coupled with a flat stare. If they push the issue, they're the ones being rude.

If they bring up the subject of adoption, say "OK, that's far enough, I think it's time to leave now, this discussion is over." If you're on the phone, hang up.

They are being phenomenally rude and out of order, so you need to set your boundaries very firmly - if they're pulling this crap now, they'll only be worse when the baby arrives so you need to head it off at the pass from the outset - and you need to make it clear to DH that you expect him to have your back on this, deal with his parents, and stop tattling about what they've said behind your back.

If they refuse to let this go, then going no-contact may be a step you'll have to take.

JoJoSM2 · 28/11/2017 17:19

Where did you get the 'mixed race bastard child from'? From your post, it looks that their concern was over you not being married and nothing to do with your race. Or did they actually make comments about race too?

And yes, in traditional Catholic families, it is unthinkable to have children if you aren't married and DP's parents just have strong views. Probably feel very disappointed with how all this is going.

Having said that, you've got your own views and life. Ideally, your DP would have a word with them and say that both of you are happy with your decision and how you live, not getting married and look forward to having the baby. And be assertive in telling them not to bring it up again.

ArkadyRose · 28/11/2017 17:29

Ooops, sorry I was referring to your partner as DH - should of course have been DP; force of habit as people refer to DH so much on here!

TheDowagerCuntess · 28/11/2017 17:34

And yes, in traditional Catholic families, it is unthinkable to have children if you aren't married and DP's parents just have strong views. Probably feel very disappointed with how all this is going.

This is the biggest cop out going.

My in-laws are Irish, and a generation ago, everyone would've been considered a'traditional Catholic family'.

However, times have moved on, and so has everyone with an ounce of common sense.

There are now plenty of Catholic people who are progressive, open and accepting, and who wouldn't dream, in a million years, of being so offensive.

Quite frankly, who cares if the in-laws are 'very disappointed' with how this is all going.

They have no reason to be, other than to pander to their out-dated, unreasonable views. And to prioritise those views over the happiness of their own son.

Mystery - I agree that you need to make your boundaries very clear now, and make it clear to your DP that this is his problem to deal with. His parents are welcome to enjoy this happy time in your lives with you, or they can choose to turn their backs and put their beliefs first. It's entirely up to them.

allthecheese · 28/11/2017 21:31

This is unbelievable. If it were me I honestly couldn't have a relationship with them and would be not seeing/speaking to them until there had been a significant shift in their viewpoints.

I have had far far less bad comments from my (still pretty awful) in laws. My husband supported me and I didn't speak to them or see them until they had apologised and changed their behaviour. It was admittedly a difficult time for my husband but we both agree it was worth it for the long term. I won't be bullied for the sake of religion or tradition, and you don't sound like the kind of person who would be either.

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