Family

Has anyone dealt with pushy in laws (both mine and my husband's sides of the family), whose definition of "love" seriously conflicts with your comfort level? Months ago, my hubby and I thought we'd successfully set the expectation that when baby arrives, we wanted a few days of us time before family members start rolling through town (all our family lives elsewhere). And most importantly, we advised everyone that we wouldn't be able to host any overnight guests, at least anytime soon, because of how we've had to rearrange the house for the baby, and also because of our desire for some space and privacy (at least at night).

Now, less than two weeks before baby is due to arrive via C Section, both sides of the family have laid on major guilt about our requests. Telling us we're being unfair by not allowing them to be here right away, and by expecting them to stay elsewhere (when we've told people from day one that if that doesn't work for them, we'll be coming up to visit them within a month or two of birth anyways, so they could just wait until then - we're not asking anyone to come down and spend money on a hotel). And while I understand their excitement to meet the baby, I hate that all their arguments against our wishes are centered around how they're just trying to show us love, and make this a joyous occasion.

If we are telling you that something you're trying to force us into is stressful and unwelcome, how can your argue that you're simply being loving and kind by guilting us into accepting your wishes over our own?

(p.s. I do know that they do truly love us, and are just very excited, but it's now basically come down to us having to agree to things that make us unhappy, just to satisfy them. And while I know all relationships require compromise, I'm shocked we can't even get a few weeks, during what is arguably the biggest moment in our lives, where our wishes could hold a little more weight.) - OK, rant over.