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Bad Reaction From Family

post #1 of 32
Thread Starter 
We just got back from visiting my parents in Idaho. They knew I was pregnant but we hadn't really discussed it at length. Well, during the trip they made it clear that they think we are insane for having a fourth child.

My mother was especially critical and it was really painful for me. Of course, she also thinks I breastfeed to provoke people and that my kids lack discipline (we GD) so I know I should take her opinion with a grain of salt. But I can't help but feel hurt. Sorry to be a downer... I've just been really sad since we got back.
post #2 of 32
I am sorry they didn't see your joy at having a new and wonderful blessing in your family and were unable to share it it. I hope that there hearts will soften for their grandchildren and enjoy them. I was wondering if they knew about your lost one? Did they react that way then? Were they supportive in your loss? Maybe they are just scared that it will happen again and you will be in pain. I am sure everything will be fine, I am just trying to find a more sympathetic reason for such a poor reaction of a parent. I am worried that my in laws will react the same and am trying to prepare myself for how I can positively reply. They have indicated they we have plenty or too many now. We have 3. We will tell them when they get back in town the week of the 19th and I will be 12wks. Sending hugs and encouragement that no matter what others think your babe is an invited and welcome member of your family. Tara
post #3 of 32
Awww, I'm sorry. I can't imagine how painful that would be. I'm hoping that their reasons are similar to Tara's thoughts (that they are worried about how you will handle it in one way or another). Not that that excuses it. Now that you are home, surround yourself with the people who are as excited to meet your new one as you are!

Oh yeah, and good on ya for provoking people!
post #4 of 32
I'm sorry that they acted so badly.
post #5 of 32
I am so sorry. We went throught this with dh's family when we told them about #3. When dh told them about this little one, they apparently started in on all the reason why we shouldn't have another one. Dh told them that they had two choices, they could either accept and love this little one or we could go our seperate ways. So far, they are pretending like it doesn't exist. No questions about how I am or the baby. I am so glad we don't live near them. It is really heartbreaking. They already act like dd hardly exists so I can only imagine how this one is going to be treated by them. I hate that anyone is going through anything like this, too.
post #6 of 32
So sorry.

Yes, it seems we aren't allowed more than 2 children in America. Sometimes 3might be accepted if we were *trying* for a certain gender.

It'll blow over, I'm sure. I'm sorry she doesn't support your choices (like bfing). It's normal for us to want our parent's approval, well into our adult years! It's sad that she can't be more supportive of you.

Just keep your mind focused on the miracle growing inside of you! :
post #7 of 32
It is really heartbreaking when family isn't there to support you. When I told my Mom and Dad on my last pregnancy, #7, my parents were less then thrilled, my Mom actually angry at me. She warned me that if I had another one she was going to move away. The whole pregnancy I had to endure her "helpful" advice how I should have my tubes tied as soon as the baby was born. I don't think midwives do that during homebirth. LOL. Anyways, she did eventually take joy in the pregnancy. But it sure doesn't make it easy to tell them on this pregnancy seeing how they were last time. They will be told today via my 22 month old wearing a tee shirt that will proclaim "Future Big Sister". I wonder how long it will take them to notice. All that matters to me and my husband now, is seeing the blessing in all of this, and if others don't wish to share in it then that will be their loss.
post #8 of 32
I'm the oldest of 6. Which mean my parents had 6 kids together. It wasn't a blended family.

When I miscarried a baby between #2 and #3 my mom said "Well, good, now you can concentrate on other things." and my dad said "Well, that what they make condoms for."

I was devestated at my loss and they blew it off as a "good thing" for me. My one sister had had repeated miscarriages and was still trying for that first full term pregnancy. They never told her those things.

I felt like I was slapped in the face after my loss. It was horrible and it just made me realise they didn't matter. My family was MY family. Their family was THEIR family.

We did have baby #3 and the comments were not pretty. Then we had baby #4 and they got just as bad and just as rude. We didn't listen and we didn't care. We knew we wanted a large family and that is what we were creating and SUPPORTING! It just pissed me off that my parents who had 6 kids of their own were upset and MAD at me having just as large of a family! It seemed so hypocritical of them!

My dad frequently questioned my ability to look after and take care of "all those kids" and it got worse when we chose to homeschool instead of public school too. Suddenly I was truly insane for birthing at home, having a large family, and now home schooling.

At one point I just went off on my dad in an e-mail telling him how it was our family and not his. That he could accept it or just not visit anymore, as we didn't need the negativity. We struggled a little financially but not to the point of asking for money from them. We made it through and we're still making it through.

With our 5th we got dulled congratulations, but no more disappointing comments. That was later when I was well into the pregnancy that's when my dad would say really stupid and ignorant things like "Do you know what causes that?" and otehr idiotic things.

With our 6th we just didn't tell anyone again. We kept quite as long as possible to family. Or so we thought, LOL. Apparently friends of friends told my parents so they knew they just never said anything to us. My dad said that if we wanted them to know we would have told them. Which is true, but oh well.

Still my dad asked the stupid question which we had already given smart alleck answers to the pregnancy before. We just gave new smart alleck anwers to again. If they said "so are you done yet? We'd say - "We don't know we'll see."

It just floors me too. I have the most children and my large brood is so much more well behaved and more polite than my sister's kids. They each have 4 each and are more hyper and hard to control than mine. Even my objecting father has said he would much rather take my 6 out to eat in a restaurant than my sister's 2 at the time, because mine will sit and actually behave where as my sister's kids bounce off the walls! Ironically my sister's kids aren't allowed sugar, LOL, and my sister is a control freak. I'm a laid back mama, which is why I think my kids are more relaxed.

I have found in my family that once I hit baby #7 they throw the towel in and start pushing ans asking when the next baby is going to come, LOL.

So now we find ourselves on the opposite end of the spectrum. Before it was disgust and discouragement at the idea of notion of us having "another one". And now it's, anticipation and encouragement to having another one! Even my MIL asked us at 6mo PP if we were pregnant again yet! LOL Only because it seemed to be our M.O. to be pregnant again about 6 months after a new baby arrived.

Now we are on #8 and still the same dull congrats, but no more negative comments. It just sucks that we had to put up with all the BS from family the way we did.

People, even family, don't always realize how insensitive and hurtful they are being. I am sorry your family is just as rude as mine, if not worse. You aren't alone and just know that if you plan to have more, it doesn't involve your family and you have every right to keep the negative away from your family.

{{{HUGS}}}
post #9 of 32
I am very sorry they hurt your feelings! We have not told our family yet that #6 is on the way I am a wee bit afraid that they will react like your family did The only one I can count on is my father who will react like always with "Cool I get another grandbaby!" Gotta love him!

Melissa
post #10 of 32
I can sympathize with you. We have never had a congratulations from a family member and are on our 5th. We have been together almost 15 years but are not married so I suppose that has something to do with it for them. This time around I have only told 2 of my sisters and their reactions were "What are you going to do?" and "I can't believe I am going to tell people my sister has 5 kids". I come from a family of 4 and Matthew comes from a family of 6 but I guess things are somehow different for us too. It really makes me sad because I really want to make this a joyous gift but it is hard when I know people only want to put their judgements on us.
post #11 of 32
I'm sorry mama I am pretty sure both sides will be okay with 3, but though my mom will be okay with 4, I doubt very sincerely dh's parents will. It's so hard with the negative opinion on children and babies in today's society.
post #12 of 32
I'm so sorry. Our society doesn't value children and it shows when people who are supposed to love and support you, show their true colors about it.

When my husband told his dad, his dad said, "You need to put a sleeve on that thing." My husband giggled at that. WTF?
post #13 of 32
Thread Starter 
Thank you so much for your support everyone. It means a lot to me. It is sad that others have encountered this same negativity toward having more children. It is especially hurtful coming from family. to everyone dealing with this and I'm so glad we can all be here to support one another.
post #14 of 32
I am sorry your parents are acting this way. I worry about telling my mother about #4. She thinks that 3 is totally enough and while this wasn't a planned pregnancy it is far from unwanted. My MIL will be very happy at a new baby so I am looking forward to telling her. I hope they come around or at least keep their mouths shut.
post #15 of 32
I'm sorry. I'm guessing my inlaws are going to be less then thrilled as well.
post #16 of 32
I'm so sorry you had such a bad reaction! I'm not expecting any better from my parents--especially my mom. I'm telling them by mail (eventually) and then letting hubby answer the phone for a month or 6 so I don't have to hear it.
post #17 of 32
I am so sorry peacelovingmama and all of you who have had to deal with such insensitive comments from your families

I'm very nervous about telling my family about this surprise in our lives. I don't have any real reason to think they will not be supportive, but I am nervous nonetheless.
post #18 of 32
We don't even TELL my parents anymore. Not until they guess because they are so ugly about OUR family...you think four is bad? Wait until they hear we're pregnant with #8.
post #19 of 32
My mother's reaction to #1 - "Oh god, your not keeping it are you? It's going to be short and ugly"

Reaction to #2 - "Oh god, your not keeping it are you? You can never love a second child like you love your first." Um, I'm the second child....

Reaction to #3 - I have no idea. She was visit my bro in UK at the time and he won't tell me what she said, just that he got into a huge fight with her about it because whatever she said, she said in front of his three girls.

I am hiding this pg from her because I do not want to deal with her negativity. It is tough because she moved in with us 2 years ago and I have popped out really early, but luckily she is a bi^%h and is just happy making comments about how fat and lazy I've gotten recently. We are moving in 6 weeks, so hopefully I can kept it secret for a bit longer. Unfortunately, it means we can't tell anyone else in the family or even our own kids.

My dad is just a schmuck but his reaction is always the same "Your crazy. Better you than me"

Sometimes families suck.
post #20 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenr View Post
Reaction to #2 - "Oh god, your not keeping it are you? You can never love a second child like you love your first." Um, I'm the second child....
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