I’m trying to understand how to handle this. Last year was only my second time celebrating Mother’s Day, and it had always centered on my mother‑in‑law and sister‑in‑law.
Last year, a relative on dh side of the family tried feeding my daughter with the same spoon he used and also kissed my daughter. I gently pushed his hand away and asked them not to, thinking it was a harmless gesture voicing boundaries.
Little did I know the following months turned into ongoing fights with my husband’s family, accusing me of being disrespectful. Nothing I do seems to make them happy, even when I tried to follow their demands while they shoved their beliefs at us and made rude, unhinged comments. They criticized me and called me names. Thanksgiving I was just completely ostracized and in silent sadness of not being able to speak up. This year I decided I want a peaceful Mother’s Day with my daughter and booked us a stay out of town; if my husband wants to come, he’s welcome, but he’s upset and says we need to make it up to his mom and sister for missing Mother’s Day. I just sat there and had nothing to say