Seeking Advice: Navigating Family Boundaries During Pregnancy

Dear Life Advice Society,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sandra, and I am currently eight months pregnant. As you can imagine, this is a time when peace and quiet are not just desires but necessities for both my health and the well-being of my unborn child.

Recently, I’ve encountered a significant challenge that I believe many might have faced but am unsure how to navigate it myself. My mother-in-law, Ariana, has been staying with us for a few weeks now. While I appreciate her desire to help, her presence has become quite overwhelming, and it’s affecting my mental and physical health due to the lack of privacy and quiet.

The situation escalated yesterday when, in a moment of overwhelming stress, I asked her if she could find alternative accommodation. I expressed that while I value her company, I need my home to be a sanctuary during these final stages of my pregnancy. My exact words were, “Jestem żoną Pani syna i to jest mój dom, więc prosiłabym o opuszczenie go,” which translates to “I am your son’s wife, and this is my home, so I would kindly ask you to leave.”

I fear my approach may have hurt her feelings, and it has certainly caused some tension between my husband, Brian, and me. I am at a loss about how to handle this delicate situation without causing further distress or conflict.

Could you please offer me some advice on how to address this issue with both sensitivity and firmness? I want to maintain a good relationship with Ariana but also need to prioritize my health and the baby’s well-being.

Thank you for reading my letter, and I look forward to your guidance.

Warm regards,

Sandra