Not all people have the perfect relationship with their partner's parents, and it's easy to get annoyed at their passive-aggressive comments or outright lack of boundaries. However, there are some lines that most in-laws won't cross, and one mom's experience might make you appreciate your mother-in-law a bit more. The anonymous mom explained that her MIL started sucking away at her baby's fingers, and despite Mom's obvious disgust, the MIL ignored her and kept slurping on.
This mom doesn't know what to do about the fact that her MIL thinks it's totally acceptably to fully suck her infant's fingers.
The disgusted mom wants to know if she's in the wrong for being horrified or if others on Mumsnet find it just as a revolting. "I was stunned so didn't tell her not to. But I came to my senses a few minutes later and came over to her and washed his hands," she added. "My doing so created an awkward silence between myself, MIL and FIL which made me feel that they thought I was being controlling or neurotic."
Naturally, others on the forum were quick to chime in on this one …
Many are completely grossed out that Grandma would do this without seeing a problem.
"I just sicked up a bit in my mouth, that is really grim. There is no way I could watch her do that," one user wrote.
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These fellow women don't blame Mom for being pretty pissed off -- and repulsed.
"Had my MIL – or my own DM – done that, I'd have shown her the door, rather forcefully, with my boot up her arse," another user wrote.
"Ewwwwwwwwwwww (((Shudder)))))," one grandma wrote. "I'm gonna be sick."
Others slammed her immunity justification and questioned if it was sexual.
"She crossed a boundary in a way that had sexual overtones," another user wrote.
"You do not lick or suck other people without their consent, and that includes babies and small children. Maybe especially babies and small children," one commenter added. "Third party adults need to maintain proper bodily boundaries since the baby or small child is not in a position to protect himself."
Others don't really think it's a big deal and don't see why Mom is so bothered.
They think Mom needs to call down and not get so worked up about it.
"A bit strange I agree. But vile and obnoxious? Get a grip," one person added.
Some also point to Grandma's age -- things were different back then and she isn't being malicious.
"I can understand that you didn't like it … I really do … but I think you have give your MIL the benefit of the doubt on this one … it probably IS something they used to do back in the day, and I don't think she intentionally meant any harm by it," another person reasoned.
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And then there were some who brought up a great point: Grandma is the one who is going to suffer most.
But a majority agree that Grandma needs to learn to respect Mom's opinions -- and learn to respect boundaries.
"It's not that it's sexual in any way but imo it shows MIL has boundary issues," one person wrote. "Especially when OP's face clearly showed her discomfort and she continued and did the baby talk thing."
And the sooner Grandma learns not to overstep, the better.
"It's like an animal marking its territory. She's challenging you, stamp this out now," one woman wrote.
"I'd put your foot down and mention it and make it clear that (as stupid as it sounds) NO ONE IS TO SUCK YOUR BABY'S HAND!!" another wrote.
And if worst comes to worst, Mom can always give Grandma a taste of her own medicine ... literally.
