in laws!!!

[mameulah]

My husband and I are extremely close to my parents and are both really looking forward to sharing our newborn, due in November with them. We have an entirely different relationship with his parents. They don't listen, and they don't know they don't listen. They are not interested in us at all. Only themselves. I know we will have to give them a shot of the baby. I know I am going to find this really hard. I would really appreciate any advice about how best to set it up so that they don't suffocate me when I am at my most emotional and vulnerable? Has anyone been in a similar situation and found a way of coping?

Op I have similar concerns! My DPs aren't great, but they are manageable, and my DF is frightened of newborns so he won't be coming around. DM is bossy and controlling but doesn't mind leaving us to ourselves for a bit and having a nice time on her own. Both sets of DPs live far away, so visiting usually means condensed days of madness family.
the ILs on the other hand pretty much just sit around waiting to be entertained, which can be exhausting! And when we visit them, we are not allowed to go off on our own to do anything, as that is considered rude and cruel. So we sit around...
I am making sure DH insists that ILs don't come until a few weeks after the birth, as it will make me crazy to have to constantly entertain them rather than look after the new baby. I will be leaving the room to feed and put baby to sleep a lot. And I will insist they get a hotel, or b&b as our house is tiny. Teeny tiny.

It's terrible having to plan like we're going to be under siege but I guess this is where the real parenting starts!

Monster, my MIL is very similar, sits and sits and sits........... if we suggest going out, no she can't as has a chronic case of fat and lazy bad knee.

Going out of the room to fed baby, change baby and rest - all good ideas or take baby for long longx100 walks, they need fresh air dont cha know.

OP my way of coping with it is to see them as little as possible but it's an ongoing problem as my husband doesn't want to estrange himself from them. But you will be OK as your husband seems to have cut the apron strings successfully.

I really hope you are all right, I totally appreciate your wisdom. There is some comfort in knowing that I am not the only one getting prepared for a siege!

Charlotte, it's SO hard to just stare at them watching the telly. Long walks sound perfect!