Reddit rallies behind one user who is frustrated with her sister's unreasonable requests.
. The family is not allowed to talk about babies around her. Kids younger than three cannot come to family events that she’ll also be attending. She won’t go to any baby showers or baptisms., this Reddit user — Julie’s sister — got pregnant and these boundaries started to effect her. She was told by her mom that she shouldn’t have a baby shower “out of respect” for Julie. She went through with one anyway, and only three family members attended.
“My aunt’s 70th birthday party is next week. My husband and I planned to go, bringing our son,” the Reddit user continued. “Julie called and asked if we were going. She then asked for me to get a sitter for our son. I said no. She doesn’t want to miss the party. My aunt is one of the few people who agree that Julie’s boundaries aren’t fair and wants my son there, as she doesn’t get to see him often. Julie got upset and started crying, saying that I was unfair.
The user snapped then, asking: “What would happen when she got pregnant? Would we all be expected to shower her with the love and attention she’s refused to give other people’s kids? Will her baby be allowed to attend events?” Julie argued that would be different. In turn, the Reddit user said she would not be “coddling” her anymore.Redditthat, no, she’s definitely not. The community reinforced that Julie was taking this too far.
Many people emphasized that this Reddit user’s child should not have to hide in the shadows his whole young life. “You’re being requested to treat your child like an object that can be hidden, not an individual with the right to make and have his own relationship with his extended family. This is unfair to him, to you, and to your extended family,” a user wrote. “Julie doesn’t have the right to push her boundaries outside herself and her own house.”and how they handled that painful experience.
“My husband and I have tried for a baby for 6 years and were recently told we won’t be able to have one,” one person explained. “In that time, we have thrown a baby shower for a close friend, been to family christenings and fostered 5 children. Yes it hurts seeing pregnancy announcements; watching all the milestones our family and friends have with their kids, but I would never want to stop their happiness.