During pregnancy, emotions can fluctuate as the body goes through various changes. Alongside the anticipated glow, there may be unexpected breakouts. The excitement of coming parenthood may be tempered by discomfort in the back or feet. Even the best intentions to eat healthily can be derailed by unusual cravings, such as pickles with chocolate or other unique delicacies.
Melody, the wife of this redditor, had a simple craving — rotisserie chicken. It wasn’t a strange mix of foods, just a straightforward desire for some delicious chicken. Unfortunately, her mother-in-law had strong objections to her consuming that particular food during pregnancy and decided to get rid of it. This incident caused a major rift within the family, leaving Melody’s husband caught in the middle.
I (33m) am happily married to my amazing wife Melody (29f) and we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our first child. I have a 6-year-old daughter named Tina, and her mother and I share custody equally. This has given me valuable insight into what Melody needs to feel supported during her pregnancy.
I’ve been dedicating a significant amount of time to ensure her comfort and taking on more responsibilities at home to prevent her from being overwhelmed. Considering that this is her first child, it’s evident that the experience is taking a toll on her both physically and emotionally.
My mother and Melody don’t get along too well. My mom didn’t like my ex either (we broke up because we were headed on different paths not because of my mother and there’s no bad blood). That’s why I think she just doesn’t like her because she’s dating me for whatever reason it’s weird. It appears that she has high standards when it comes to Melody’s responsibilities, household chores, and emotional state. Melody is naturally sensitive, and being pregnant has made her even more so, which is understandable. However, it seems that she finds fault with everything Melody does, including her desire to be a stay-at-home mom. I always make sure to defend her and never let my mom belittle her.
Today, before picking up my daughter from summer camp, Melody went to three different grocery stores in search of a rotisserie chicken. She had been eagerly anticipating it since last night and was determined to find one. It was quite the adventure! She shared a series of photo updates documenting her search for the chicken and eventually found it.
My girl was filled with joy. Rotisserie chicken holds a special place in her heart, much like spaghetti. It reminds her of the times when her mom would whip up a delicious meal on those lazy days when cooking seemed like a daunting task. She intended to serve that alongside some other simple sides for dinner, which is absolutely fine with me.
When my mother visited Tina, she couldn’t help but express her concern about Melody’s diet, advising her to avoid eating chicken while pregnant. Melody mentioned that it’s alright, as she generally maintains a healthy diet and simply desires to indulge in this particular craving. My mom couldn’t stop talking about how unhealthy it was and insisted on finding an alternative. Melody said no and went to the backyard to FaceTime her family (out of state).
Upon her return, my mother got rid of the food and opted for takeout instead. She ordered a salad for Melody and pizza for the rest of us.
Melody asked about the whereabouts of the chicken, to which my mother advised her to adopt a more responsible approach to motherhood and make healthier dietary choices for the baby. Melody screamed «WHAT THE F**K IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS SUCH A B***H TO ME?» She began to cry and asked me to come home.
After hearing my mother’s story, I made the difficult decision to ask her to leave. I explained that she would not be welcome back until she apologized for how she treated Melody. My mom wouldn’t stop complaining about how I’m prioritizing someone else over her, but I believe there comes a point when you’ve had enough, and Melody has reached that point. She expressed remorse for getting angry when Tina was in the house, but I reassured her that it’s alright, accidents happen. I made sure Tina was safe and went to get another chicken before the store closed. My dad and brother have differing opinions on whose side I should take in the ongoing conflict between Melody and mom. I’m left wondering if I’m in the wrong here. What do you think?