My in-laws crossed a line and they will never babysit my baby again

After leaving her 6mo daughter in the care of her in-laws, this mum was horrified at what she found when she came to pick her up.

Venting to a parenting forum, the mum explained that she and her in-laws hadn't seen eye to eye when it came to the issue of piercing her baby daughter's ears.

She didn't want to commit to anything until her daughter was older, but her husband's parents, who come from a culture where piercing baby girls' ears is customary, persisted in pressuring her to move forward with the procedure ASAP. 

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Cultural clash leads to a weekend nightmare

The breaking point came after a weekend under the grandparents' care left the baby sobbing and in distress, revealing a betrayal that would change everything.

The devastated mother shared her ordeal on Reddit, stating, "My mother-in-law was looking after her over the weekend and decided to pierce her ears without my knowledge or consent. When I saw this, I threw a fit. My baby was crying in pain, and I actually took her to the doctor to get their advice on whether or not to take them out."

Boundaries set

The doctor recommended removing the earrings due to the baby's discomfort, but this was only the beginning of the turmoil. 

The incensed mother declared, "My worry is that she'll do the same thing again, and to be frank, she's lost my trust entirely. I told her that if she had a problem with that, I'd report what she did to the police."

Despite her husband's reluctant support, the mother has taken a firm stand, vowing that no one from that side of the family, except for a supportive sister-in-law, will have alone contact with her daughter again.

RELATED: 'When I picked her up, she was completely bald'

What would you do if your in-laws broke your trust? Source: iStock

Public opinion divided

The online community weighed in on the controversy, with varying opinions on how to handle the situation. 

Some suggested rebuilding trust, while others insisted on pressing charges for assault. 

"If anyone took my child and did anything with them I clearly said we as their parents are not okay with, then I absolutely would go to the police," shared one responder.

“Forget rebuilding trust, I'd be having them charged with assault,” added another.

“The very least I'd report it to make it absolutely crystal clear do not think you can disrespect the choices we are making for our child. You are not the parent,” warned another.

And one parent was adamant the in-laws made a huge mistake, “They mutilated a child, and they knew it was against the parents' wishes. 

“These people have serious problems. Not that I'd press charges, but getting holes poked in someone else's kid is a huge thing.”

Originally published as My in-laws crossed a line and they will never babysit my baby again