A Missouri mother is facing challenges with her mother-in-law's childcare approach for her 6-month-old son, Tyler. After returning to work three days a week, the mother and her husband arranged for their mothers to care for Tyler one day each week. They expressed gratitude by giving gift cards to their mothers for their time.
The mother noted that her own mother, who is younger and more active, stays home with Tyler during her caregiving day. However, she requested her mother-in-law to also remain at home instead of running errands. The mother explained that taking Tyler out disrupts his nap schedule and raised concerns about her mother-in-law's ability to manage the car seat and stroller due to her physical condition.
Despite the request, the mother-in-law did not comply. When the mother arrived to pick up Tyler, she found that her mother-in-law was not home. This incident was not isolated; the mother had previously caught her mother-in-law taking Tyler out for errands. The father also asked his mother to stay home, but the requests were ignored.
Frustrated, the mother told her mother-in-law, "If you can’t stay home, we need to change this arrangement." This statement has led to tension within the husband's family, with some relatives believing the mother was too harsh.
In response to the situation, advice was given suggesting that the mother should consider finding alternative childcare if her mother-in-law continues to disregard her wishes. The advice emphasized that the mother's actions are not overly strict but rather a necessary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of her child.