How to Set Boundaries with Your In-Laws After Giving Birth

Congratulations on becoming a new parent! The journey of parenthood is a remarkable and transformative experience filled with joy, love, and a lot of exhaustion. However, alongside this joy, you may also find yourself facing the challenge of family members, especially with your in-laws, wanting to be with the baby all the time or help as much as they can in your home. Navigating this delicate dance requires open communication and mutual respect.

We often hear about the importance of boundaries as healthy limits that protect your well-being and maintain a sense of autonomy. As you embark on your parenting journey, it’s crucial to recognize that your role as a parent grants you the authority to set boundaries that align with your values and parenting style. While it’s natural for your in-laws to be excited about their grandchild, it’s essential to establish boundaries that ensure your emotional and physical well-being.

In the heat of a moment, new parents might fear losing control over their babies and start creating and imposing stringent rules on family members to ensure things are done their way. Unfortunately and naively, they end up pushing their families away, creating resentment, and alienating themselves during a very emotionally vulnerable time.

Being honest first with yourself about the type of relationship you want and need from your partner’s family is fundamental. It is also essential to understand we can’t have it all sometimes. Establishing too rigid, strong, and high boundaries that become barriers to communication instead of clear limits also comes with some risks, including loss of intimacy and closeness with other family members.

For example, you can’t expect to ask your in-laws to take care of your baby during the weekends so you can rest or run some errands or favor your family’s needs over other activities if, on the other hand, you are also telling them to back off (putting it in nice words) from your life. What is it that you want and need from them? How do you get it?

Here are some things to consider if you want to create a balance in your relationship with your in-laws after giving birth.

Make sure there’s open communication.

Establishing boundaries with in-laws after giving birth might involve defining visiting hours, limiting the number of visitors, or requesting privacy during certain times. But it’s crucial to express these boundaries WHEN and IF they are needed, at the right time and place, with empathy and compassion. Approach these conversations respectfully, emphasizing that your decisions are not meant to disregard their love and support. They are not personal attacks but rather create a balanced environment for everyone involved.

Define your non-negotiables.

Reflect on what matters most to you as a parent and establish non-negotiable boundaries. These boundaries may involve decisions regarding feeding, sleep schedules, visitors, or even unsolicited advice. For example, you may kindly request that your in-laws don’t feed your baby certain foods or call before coming to visit. It’s essential to communicate these boundaries with empathy, explaining how they support your child’s well-being and your own need for rest and recovery. Also, why not? If it would help them understand and get on board, explain that this might not be forever, just during this period that you are still learning how to better serve your baby.

It’s ‘us’ now.

When you become a parent, it stops being about the two of you and becomes “us.” And… yes, you guessed it! If your in-laws are involved and care for your baby, they might also feel very much part of that “us.” Recognizing that grandparents and other family members also play a significant role in your child’s upbringing can help you guide them into their new role as part of your nuclear family. When putting yourself in your in-laws’ shoes, it’s essential to acknowledge that they are too long to forge a meaningful connection with your child. They aspire to leave a lasting imprint on their grandchild’s life, just as you do.

Establish new traditions.

Creating family rituals and traditions can help set clear boundaries while fostering a sense of belonging. Whether it’s Sunday brunch with just your immediate family or a monthly game night with your in-laws, these activities can strengthen your bond as a family unit and make it easier to decline unwanted intrusions respectfully. By highlighting the value of quality time spent together, you reinforce the importance of your immediate family’s needs and priorities while giving it a place in your life to other family members.

Own your parental authority and autonomy.

We can’t control everything. We can own our intentions and hope others pay with good intentions back. Establishing boundaries doesn’t guarantee that others will always respect them. Some individuals may push against the boundaries, offer unsolicited advice, or try to exert control. In such situations, it’s important to reaffirm our intentions and stand firm in our decisions while maintaining open lines of communication. Consistency in our actions can help set expectations and reinforce the boundaries we’ve established.

Make sure your partner is your teammate in this.

Be clear about your needs, expectations, and boundaries, and encourage your partner to be a united front in these discussions. Ideally, this joint approach demonstrates a united front and emphasizes that the boundaries being set are mutually agreed upon and supported by both of you. Your partner can also be the designated messenger representing you as a family, as long as they communicate in a polite and non-confrontational manner, emphasizing that the intention is to promote a healthy and harmonious family dynamic.

Model healthy relationships for your kids.

As parents, you are not only shaping your child’s life but also modeling healthy relationships for them to emulate. By setting boundaries with your in-laws, you teach your child the importance of asserting personal boundaries, respecting others’ autonomy, and maintaining a healthy balance between familial obligations and emotional well-being. This valuable lesson will benefit them as they grow and navigate their own relationships in the future. But remember, the way you treat your in-laws is how they will treat theirs and how they will allow their future partners to treat you as well!

It’s okay to seek additional support.

Navigating the complexities of family dynamics can be challenging, especially after giving birth. Don’t hesitate to seek support from trusted friends, family members, or professionals such as therapists who can provide guidance, validation, and fresh perspectives.

Establishing boundaries with your in-laws after giving birth can be empowering and challenging, and takes time, commitment, and practice. Sometimes you may not always be successful in getting along perfectly, but what matters is that you maintain a well-balanced autonomy, emotional well-being, and the synchronized harmony of your immediate family.

Welcome to Family Reset, a monthly column and must-go destination for all parents seeking guidance (and grasping for some sanity) in the wild adventure of raising children. Behind this compelling and candid read is New York licensed psychotherapist, writer, editor, and “mommyyy” Zuania Capó, (or just call her Z), a compassionate, multicultural, and integrative therapist passionate about supporting families to thrive and connect. Armed with a touch of wisdom, insightful tips, a witty spirit, tons of honesty, and a sprinkle of humor, she is here to help you navigate the complexities of parenthood while prioritizing your well-being.

Family Reset is not just a source of advice; it’s a vibrant community where parents can find inspiration, share their stories, and realize they are not alone in the exhilarating roller coaster ride of parenting. Have questions? Want answers? Get ready to hit that reset button and connect with Z at zuania@integrativetherapynj.com.

Here’s How to Set Boundaries with Your In-Laws After Giving Birth, According to a Family Therapist