I had a chat with my sister in law today and I’m really concerned about what she told me about her and my brother’s relationship. Both her and myself have recently had babies so I know hormones/emotions may be running high anyway but I just wanted to hear if anyone else has experienced this and what I should do.
So my brother and sister in law have a 3 month old baby and since they’ve had the baby, she said their relationship has changed (which I know is normal but there’s more to it). He only texts her to check in on the baby and doesn’t ask how she is doing. He doesn’t show her any affection anymore, he doesn’t help with housework and she has asked him to help as she’s finding it difficult to cope.
Apparently his response was that he’s working, she’s on maternity leave and that she’s nagging him. She’s cried to him during these arguments and he says by crying that she’s playing the victim and making it all about her. If she gives up during an argument and stops talking to him, he calls her names in the heat of the moment and has told her to go f* herself. I’m astounded that my brother would act this way but I can’t see why his wife would be making this up.
She said she feels like she’s constantly treading on egg shells at home, that she’s a shell of who she used to be, but thinks she may have post natal depression.
I really want to help her, but I’m unsure what to do. Do I speak to my brother? My parents? Or should I just keep checking in with her? Any advice is greatly appreciated x