AITA

So my partners family live away down south and we are up north. We had a shower at the weekend and his mum came. There were multiple things that happened that I felt were rude and have been told by friends since things she has said about us and our relationship that I've chosen not to tell him about. She went through unopened gifts before we had even had the chance to as an example of the little things that just didn't sit right with me. She mentioned that she's coming up for the birth (of course I want her to meet the baby) but if I'm being honest I only want my mum there as she is my comfort and I'm the one pushing the baby out but I don't want his mum to feel left out either. She then proceeds to tell me that her mum is coming to England from their home country in January and I can expect to have his mum, gran and grans sister (possibly even more family) round my house 4 weeks after birth for multiple days. He will have returned to work and I will be finding my feet, I have no idea how I will be feeling emotionally or physically and it's really overwhelmed me. Other than potentially popping home to my family for Christmas day and boxing day (just so I can feel a little festive if I'm capable of being there after birth) my family will not be coming to visit that first month. Am I the arsehole for wanting some time to figure things out and not having people on top of me? I go into host mode and these people are strangers to me, I will not settle if the house is a mess, I'll be tired, I just don't want the stress but he's now saying that he's upset that he has to tell his family they can't come visit his child. I'm not saying I don't want them to see the child, I just wanted what I want to be taken into consideration, it's me going through all the hard work, no body else.
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No you definitely aren't being an arsehole. Your partner should have your back and be the one to express and lay boundaries between his extended family and his immediate family (you and bubba). I have found it helpful to send videos to my partner to let him know how overwhelming it will be and what he can do to help after birth. One of which is managing visitors. Also, I sent him a video of the dangers of exposing your baby to too many people in the first 2-3 months before their immune system is developed where the damage is lifelong. It helped him understand how delicate those first months will be in terms of protecting mine and baby's wellbeing (and mental health)

I agree with the above statement fully, and it’s Important he understands you will need time when the baby is here to adjust x

I had a very similar approach to @Sum with this stuff. So also agree you are defo not in the wrong here. I live up North too and family on both sides are down South. I've had to navigate something super similar. Can I ask what country the family are coming from? (Our family is made up of 3 cultures and how I would handle this would depend on which of those cultures it was). Feel free to message directly 😁

No you're not. I understand his side are excited but for me sharing my baby experience with my mum was a special moment for us. It was like a different kind of bonding experience. It sounds weird but it's hard to explain. Does his family usually come over in January or is it solely to meet the baby . If it's just to meet the baby then that's something that needs to be run by you guys the mum and dad and not the grandma's. If they come over give them a time slot and make it a day where your partner is also there. You do what suits you and not what suits them

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