12/08/2026
AITA for not letting my mom meet my newborn after what she said about my wife?
I’m 29M, my wife is 28F, and we live in Denver. We’ve been married for 3 years and have a 4-month-old daughter.
My mom and my wife have never been especially close. They’re polite to each other, but there’s always been a little tension. My mom thinks my wife is too sensitive, and my wife thinks my mom makes passive-aggressive comments and then pretends she was joking.
I usually try to stay out of it.
A few months ago, when my wife was pregnant, my mom came over for dinner. At some point she started talking about how difficult babies are and said, “You two are going to realize pretty quickly that having a baby isn't as fun as you think.”
My wife laughed awkwardly and said, “We know it’ll be hard. We’re excited though.”
My mom replied, “We'll see how long that lasts.”
I told her that was unnecessary, and she said I was taking it too seriously.
After our daughter was born, things were actually fine for a while. My mom visited once at the hospital and twice at our house. She was nice, brought food, and didn't make any comments.
Then last weekend she asked if she could babysit.
My wife said she wasn't ready to leave the baby with anyone yet, which I completely understand. My mom got quiet and said, “I raised two children. I think I know how to hold a baby.”
My wife didn't respond.
Later, my mom called me privately and said, “Your wife is making sure I don't have a relationship with my granddaughter.”
I told her that wasn't true and that we'd let her babysit when we were comfortable.
She then said, “You know, you weren't this difficult when you were a baby.”
I asked what she meant.
She said, “Your wife is making everything about herself. She needs to stop acting like she's the first woman who's ever had a child.”
That was the point where I lost my patience.
I told her she wasn't going to babysit, and that until she could respect both of us as parents, she wouldn't be visiting.
She started crying and said I was punishing her over “one stupid comment.”
Now my sister says I'm being cruel because my mom is devastated and just wants to be a grandmother.
My wife says she feels guilty because she doesn't want to be the reason my mom doesn't see our daughter.
I honestly don't think that's what this is about. I don't care if my mom disagrees with our parenting. But I don't think she gets to insult my wife and then expect access to our baby like nothing happened.
AITA for keeping my mom away from my daughter until she apologizes?
