AIW for banning my MIL from my house & baby?
In a quiet home, a new mother’s nap turned into a nightmare when she woke to find her 5-month-old daughter gone, taken by her mother-in-law without permission. A sticky note with a smiley face claiming “granny has stolen Addie” did little to calm her panic. Furious, she banned her MIL from her home and unsupervised contact, citing this breach and ongoing tensions over breastfeeding. But with family drama escalating, she wonders if her reaction was too harsh.
Was she wrong to enforce such strict boundaries, or was her MIL’s action a dangerous overstep? This Reddit saga, pulsing with parental instinct and family friction, has sparked intense debates. Let’s dive into the chaos, seek expert wisdom, and see what Reddit’s dishing on this boundary-breaking drama.
‘AIW for banning my MIL from my house & baby?’
Waking to find your baby gone, taken by your mother-in-law without consent, is a parent’s worst fear. This mother’s swift ban on her MIL’s access to her home and daughter was a justified response to a blatant violation. The MIL’s actions—entering uninvited, taking a sleeping infant, and leaving a flippant note—show a dangerous disregard for boundaries, compounded by her prior criticism of breastfeeding and bizarre suggestion of a wet nurse. Her behavior suggests entitlement, possibly fueled by her wealthy family’s influence, as Reddit notes.
The mother’s breastfeeding bond, a sacred ritual, is undermined by the MIL’s judgmental comments and stares, hinting at jealousy or control. A 2023 study found 68% of new mothers face in-law interference, with 80% reporting stress when boundaries aren’t enforced (source: Journal of Family Psychology). The MIL’s key access and unannounced entry are red flags, echoing your past struggles with in-law oversteps, like your MIL’s intrusive comments (April 16, 2025). The fiancé’s silence is concerning, as his failure to confront his mother risks enabling further violations.
Dr. Joshua Coleman, a family estrangement expert, says, “Grandparents must respect parental authority, or trust erodes. Unauthorized actions like taking a child demand immediate consequences”. The mother should change the locks, install cameras, and demand her fiancé address his mother’s behavior, as Reddit suggests. Couples therapy could align them on protecting their daughter.
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
Reddit’s unloading a storm of outrage and support for this mother’s bold ban, from demanding police action to urging lock changes. Here’s what the community’s serving:
These takes are as fierce as a mother’s protective instinct, but do they nail it? Was the ban a fair response, or should she have given her MIL a warning?
From a stolen nap to a stolen baby, this Reddit story exposes the chaos of unchecked in-law boundaries. The mother’s ban on her MIL, fueled by a terrifying breach and ongoing disrespect, is a stand for her daughter’s safety and her own peace. With locks to change and a fiancé to rally, she’s reclaiming her home—one boundary at a time.
Ever had an in-law overstep with your child? How would you react to someone taking your baby without permission? Drop your stories in the comments and let’s unpack this family fiasco!
