AITA for telling my mother-in-law she can’t criticize my parenting in front of my kid?

In this post, a 30-year-old wife recounts an incident where her mother-in-law (MIL) publicly criticized her parenting style in front of her 3-year-old son. Over the years, the MIL has been overly involved, often giving unsolicited advice about how the couple should raise their child.

Although the wife initially tolerated her MIL’s behavior, things came to a head during a family gathering when her MIL openly chastised her for being too lenient after their son lost his favorite teddy. Frustrated and embarrassed by the public critique, the wife pulled her MIL aside and firmly told her to stop undermining her parenting in front of her child.

‘AITA for telling my mother-in-law she can’t criticize my parenting in front of my kid?’

Family therapist Dr. Emily Carter explains, “It’s crucial for parents to protect the environment in which their child grows up. When a third party, even a well-intentioned one like a grandmother, consistently criticizes parental decisions in front of a child, it can create confusion and undermine the authority of the parents.”

Dr. Carter adds, “Setting firm boundaries is a healthy way to ensure that your child understands who is in charge. When you calmly and assertively express that certain topics are off-limits in your home, it reinforces the idea of a united parental front.”

She recommends that couples discuss such incidents together to ensure consistent boundaries are maintained, and that any further unsolicited advice be addressed privately, away from the child’s ears.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit users have largely sided with the wife, supporting her decision to confront her MIL about the inappropriate behavior. Many commenters applaud her for drawing a clear line between personal parenting decisions and external opinions. They note that when a guest or family member repeatedly undermines your authority as a parent—especially in front of your child—it’s important to set boundaries.

Several users also emphasized that her husband should take a stronger stance in these situations to ensure the couple’s unity, though the prevailing sentiment is that the wife’s response was both justified and necessary.

This incident raises important questions about boundaries and respect in family dynamics. Should extended family members have a say in how you raise your child, or should those decisions remain strictly between the parents? How do you handle unsolicited advice in a way that preserves your dignity while also maintaining family harmony?

Have you ever experienced similar conflicts with in-laws, and what strategies have you used to resolve them? Share your experiences and thoughts on how to balance familial input with the need to protect your child’s upbringing and your parental authority.