Some parents believe that piercing a baby’s ears is disrespectful to their privacy, while others think that little earrings look cute on a baby and see nothing wrong with it. Whether to pierce or not to pierce your baby’s ears is a personal decision that parents should make themselves. No one wants another family member to make such choices for them. Our reader Sarah found herself in a difficult situation regarding her baby daughter and her mother-in-law and wrote to Bright Side asking for advice.
Express your feelings clearly.
Take the time to have a calm and private conversation with your MIL about the situation. It’s important to express how deeply hurt and upset you are that she disregarded your wishes, especially regarding such a significant decision about your daughter. Use “I” statements to communicate your feelings clearly and avoid sounding accusatory. For example, you might say, “I feel betrayed because this was a decision I wanted to make as a mother,” or “I’m upset that my wishes weren’t respected, and this has made me feel like my role as a parent was undermined.”
Reassess babysitting arrangements.
