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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Eleanor Gordon-Smith

My parents and in-laws are making inappropriate comments about my baby. Should I let them go?

A painting of a woman comforting a child in a pram
‘You are allowed to have rules about how you and your baby are treated.’ Painting: Susan Comforting the Baby by Mary Cassatt. Photograph: Jimlop collection/Alamy

My parents and my parents-in-law are making inappropriate comments about my three-month-old baby. They comment a lot about her being chubby, about her having small lips, praising her for having white skin and making other fat-shaming, racist, quite inappropriate remarks.

My parents are constantly saying that she is extremely smart and are super focused on her intellect, and my mother-in-law is focused on her looks. I find both types of comments inappropriate as it puts unnecessary expectations on my baby. I am worried that she may develop insecurities or anxiety, or may become racist or judge other people herself.

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