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Grandparenting

Daughter says no visitors for three months

(4 Posts)
GlamGolfGran Sun 20-Sept-26 05:59:25

A few weeks ago, my 25 year old daughter told me that she was expecting their first child. She said they weren't going to tell anyone the exact due date, because she thinks her in-laws will just show up around the due date if they know. She also says they will not have any visitors for three months because she wants to bond with the baby. This is not something any of her friends have done. I'm pretty sure she has gotten this idea from the internet. My husband and I have tried very hard to not be intrusive in their lives, not give advice, be helpful. There are some tensions between my daughter and her MIL.

I would like to hear your experiences if you've had a daughter or DIL who has set boundaries like this. As the child got older, did your daughter or DIL continue to add very stringent boundaries about lots of things and/or limit your interaction with your grandchild ? Or did they relax and let you have a close relationship with your grandchild? If they set a lot of boundaries, what kind of boundaries did they set? I'm trying to prepare myself for what is coming and have realistic expectations. And also decide what level of involvement I want to have.

BlueBelle Sun 20-Sept-26 06:20:38

Nothing you can do, but I think it’s truly awful and selfish,
Nans and grandads are needed in a baby’s life.
Thankfully all mine were only to pleased to include me and accept help, and indeed I was privileged to help out a lot.

It’s pretentious nonsense you bond with your baby whether anyone else is around or not.
Who knows she might need you especially if she has a colicky baby like my first one was.

Astitchintime Sun 20-Sept-26 06:22:51

Regardless of where she got the information you have to respect her decision.

karmalady Sun 20-Sept-26 06:39:33

Leave her to it, she is being ridiculous but as above, her child and her decision. Keep the distance and wait to be asked, each and every time, in the meantime just go about your normal life

She should relax when she realises that you are not intrusive and will not call on her without invitation.

Start from a detached point of view eg no knitting of small things, no buying baby clothes, just give them a money present to buy something for baby. Slowly she will see that she is being left alone and that will hopefully trigger her into calling on you to help

She wants detached, give her detached