AITA for calling my SIL and some family friends creepy over how they behave towards by child?

A new mother called her sister-in-law “creepy” for joking about “eating” her baby. After welcoming her daughter Mia, the mother set boundaries for family visits to avoid overwhelm. While relatives adore Mia, their constant remarks about wanting to “eat” her due to her cuteness, especially after a video of a child’s foot between bread, unnerved her. She asked them to stop, but they dismissed her concerns.

The situation escalated when she snapped at her sister-in-law, Anna, banning her from their home. Her in-laws and friends called her overly sensitive, citing their experience as parents. Reddit debates whether her reaction was justified or an overreach. Was she wrong to call them “creepy”? How should new parents handle such family dynamics?

‘AITA for calling my SIL and some family friends creepy over how they behave towards by child?’

The mother organized visits to protect her and Mia.

She asked them to stop, but they dismissed her:

She called Anna creepy and threatened to ban visits:

The mother’s reaction to her family’s “eating” comments reflects her protective instincts as a new parent, heightened by the excessive frequency of the remarks. Phrases like “I could eat you up” often stem from “cute aggression,” a common expression of overwhelming affection (Aragón et al., 2015). However, her in-laws’ repetition—200 times in a day—crosses into obsessive territory, especially after she expressed discomfort. Anna’s video exacerbated the issue, disregarding her boundaries.

The family’s dismissal of her concerns and their insistence that it’s “normal” invalidates her feelings, creating tension. While the comments likely carry no harmful intent, their relentless nature, especially about a baby needing a diaper change, can feel intrusive. Her husband and parents’ support validates her unease, suggesting the behavior is unusual within their family context, despite claims of cultural normalcy.

Her outburst, while understandable, risks escalating family conflict by labeling the behavior “creepy.” This confrontational approach may alienate relatives who see their actions as loving, potentially depriving Mia of familial support. A calmer response might have preserved relationships while reinforcing boundaries, though her in-laws’ refusal to respect her wishes shares blame.

To resolve this, she should initiate a calm discussion, explaining how the frequency of the comments feels overwhelming. Setting clear boundaries, like limiting visits if the behavior continues, is reasonable. Couples therapy or a mediator could help align expectations. Encouraging positive ways to express affection, like praising Mia’s smile, could redirect their enthusiasm while respecting her comfort as a new mother.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit debates the mother’s “creepy” label, splitting on cultural norms and boundaries.

Many criticize her for overreacting to a common phrase:

Some acknowledge cultural differences in expressing affection:

Others suggest compromising to resolve the conflict:

Some support her discomfort with the excessive comments:

The mother’s discomfort with her family’s relentless “eating” comments about her baby led to a heated confrontation, labeling their behavior “creepy.” While her in-laws see it as affectionate, the excessive repetition—200 times daily—crossed her boundaries, prompting a clash. Reddit splits, with some calling her oversensitive and others validating her unease.

Was the mother wrong to call her family “creepy” for their comments? How can new parents set boundaries with overly enthusiastic family members?