Caring for our newborn meant missing dinner—my husband didn’t save me a plate

As a first-time parent, Jenna struggled to manage infant care with housework. Still, she tried to feed her child and clean up. In addition, she did errands and cooked supper daily.

John, her husband, hoped his mother would assist with housekeeping and stay with them. Jenna was relieved by his comments. Knowing that it takes a village to raise a kid, her mother-in-law felt like the ideal person to be around.

Unfortunately, Jenna didn’t realize her MIL would do more harm than good.
In her initial days, the MIL hosted visitors. She didn’t assist and contributed to Jenna’s daily stress.

She hardly had time to eat between changing diapers, nursing, and putting him to sleep.

Jennifer thought her MIL would cook supper, but one night, after putting the baby to bed and going downstairs, she saw that there was no food. Her MIL casually responded, “Well, you didn’t come down, so we assumed you weren’t hungry.” These comments stung harder than Jenna’s hunger.

When John ignored his mom’s warnings, things became worse. In addition, he ordered Jenna to clean up and wash the dishes as she wasn’t doing anything.

Jenna confronted John and his mother after being deeply offended. They shouted at her for being lazy.

Jenna brought her baby and some things to her mother’s house because of how they treated her.

However, John kept calling her to demand an apology to his mother.
He didn’t realize Jenna’s emotional toll from his mother’s presence and lack of support.

She was upset and couldn’t find a way out until she thought of phoning her father-in-law, who was always practical and sensible.

When she called him, he was uninformed but supportive and urged her to get ready since he was bringing her home.

When they got to Jenna’s, John and his mother were laughing and watching TV.

When they spotted John’s dad, John and his mother became serious.

He told his wife, “It was enough. You caused a lot of harm; go home. You’re leaving John and Jenna.” MIL didn’t object.

He then advised John to assist his wife, who had given birth to their baby five weeks earlier. John agreed, humiliated.

In subsequent days, everything appeared to calm.
The MIL came briefly to assist around the home. John got more involved in their son’s care and domestic chores.

Thank goodness Jenna’s father-in-law restored her peace.