A woman has expressed concerns over her mother-in-law's "baby obsession", which has made her feel as if she's in the "Twilight Zone".
According to this new mum, her mother-in-law has previously referred to her little girl by her husband’s first name, and has even asked if the baby could call her "mama". The amount of gear, baby clothes, and formula kept at her house is said to be "ridiculous".
While visiting, her mother-in-law will always wants to feed her grandchild, and will even reportedly "sneak off" to change the baby's clothes or nappy, and won't return for half an hour. Whenever she goes looking for them, she'll find her mother-in-law rocking her daughter to sleep, even when it isn't time for a nap.
Taking to Reddit, the anguished mother despaired: "When she gets to hold baby, she'll hold her tight and just stareeeee at her and hold her until baby complains because she's bored of it. She loves treating baby like she's a newborn when baby is practically a toddler."
Recently, her mother-in-law announced she was prepared to tear up her own wedding gown to make a christening gown for the baby girl, despite knowing full well that they aren't religious and have previously given her a very firm no on this particular topic.
Perplexed as to whether or not her mother-in-law's behaviour is normal, she continued: "I have put multiple stops and counter nearly everything.
"Last visit she tried to get baby out of my arms by asking baby 'Can I hold you baby?' (Baby put arms out..) and I said 'No. I have her'. When I fed the baby, my mother-in-law stared during the entire meal, was twitching while watching, and was visibly upset that I let the baby feed herself."
One fellow Reddit user advised: "She obviously transported herself remembering being a new mum by holding your baby. Those moments of transport are normal, but they need to be fleeting. She's trying too hard to hang on.
"While understandable, she is obviously pushing the limits. She's not fully recognizing that she isn't the mum, you are, and that your baby is growing up, just like her son did. Don't let her slide deeper into fantasy."
Another commented: "Your mother-in-law is trying to relive motherhood through your baby. I read plenty here about how so many mother-in-laws demand a certain grandparent experience, but this kind of behaviour is taking that up a notch.
"It's good that you're recognising that her behaviour is absurd and that you're doing your best to make it clear to your mother-in-law that you are the mum. She had her turn, now it's yours."
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