Would this comment bother you?

aml0905

If your FIL called your 7 month old baby a "brat"  for crying when he held her?

FIL has done this on many occasions especially when she stops crying when he hands her to me. I always say something like "She's not a brat, she is a baby. Babies cry sometimes."

So...would it bother you or do you think I'm just being sensitive? DH thinks I'm being sensitive because his Dad "doesn't really mean it"...

jettagurl

It would. My MIL called DS "Big head Ben" for a few weeks.  Once I got sick of it, I told her (after she did it for like the 27th time), "He doesn't have a big head.  He's about 35th %ile, which is actually below average. Please stop calling him that."  She did.  

I'd tell DH that regardless of you being sensitive or not, it bothers you and he needs to tell his dad to stop calling her that.   

SumnerBride

Yes and no.  My IL's never comment on my kids, but my own parents do.  I think it's an old school thing.  Or maybe the fact that my grandparents are horrid people who raised my parents to think that all babies should be happy and quiet.

And I think men especially shouldn't comment on things like that.

femmegem

I don't care whether he really means it or not, that's such a negative word to use about a child. I hate it. And yes, it would bother me. My dad called DS a brat once and I nearly burst into tears while I talked to him about it. He hasn't said it since.

ETA: It was a stressful time, so it wasn't just that we talked about. But he got it loud and clear that it really hurt me that he would say that. It's not only a mean thing to say about a child, it's a pretty huge knock on the parents as well, IMO.

sunandsand

Eh. My own dad calls my son a spoiled mammas boy. I dont think he means it mean, just teasing...its annoying, but I dont get upset about it.

#6

My uncle called me my sister and brother rug rats from the time I can remember.  I did sort of bother me but not really.  He just wasnt a "kid" friendly person at the time.  Then when I was around 12 he started dating a woman who had a little girl.  They broke up and she ended up having 2 more.  They stayed good friends and he actually had custody of 2 of the younger girls at one time.  (she doesnt deserve to be a mother and pawns them off on anyone she can)  Anyways, he has helped (or fully) raised them as if they were his own even though they are not.  Since then he has always been different towards us. (my sis, bro and me)  He is great with my kids too.  Even when they fuss and scream and are in full tantrum mode.  

I dont think I would let it get to you.  If this is his first grandchild it may just have been a long time since he has been around a baby and forgotten how they cry and fuss.