When it comes to parenting, every generation gets a chance to do what they feel is best for their kids, and then they must step aside to let the next set of adults do the same. Unfortunately, some grandparents don’t follow this and instead try to push their advice onto new parents.
This is what happened with a woman whose mother-in-law kept complaining about the temperature at her house, saying it was unhealthy for her husband and baby. Eventually, the woman reached her breaking point and desperately asked for advice online.
More info: Mumsnet
Parents and grandparents might disagree about different things, but it’s important that they try to come to an agreement for the sake of the kids
Image credits: hurkin_son / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster shared that her husband allowed sparse use of the heater in their new home, so temperatures would be at 60.8°F (16°C), and even colder in their bedroom
Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Due to the chilliness in their bedroom, the poster started sleeping in another room with her newborn, and kept the baby warm with a sleepsuit and sleeping bag
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Unfortunately, the poster’s mother-in-law kept complaining about the temperature of their house and stated that the cold could affect the baby’s and her son’s health
Image credits: lilseb
The poster felt annoyed by the concern of her mother-in-law, especially since the older woman seemed to be losing sleep over the temperature issue
Since the OP and her husband had moved into a new home, they noticed that their bedroom always became far too chilly. That’s why they decided that it would be better for the poster to take their newborn and sleep in another room so that the little one could be a bit warmer and not be affected by the cold.
It’s important for the baby’s room to be neither too hot nor too cold, and experts state that the right temperature is usually between 68-72°F (20-22°C). The reason for this is that newborns are much more sensitive to changes, and only around 11 weeks they can start regulating their core body temperature.
The poster wanted to keep her baby cosy and comfortable, so she had to make sure that it wasn’t too hot or too cold in the house. Unfortunately, since her husband was very stingy, he didn’t like her fiddling with the heating too much. She tried her best to put the heater on when she could, but otherwise, made do with the 60°F (16°C) temperature of their home.
This type of disagreement over the settings of the thermostat is something that many couples have to deal with. According to research, since women prefer warmer climates and men are comfortable even in the cold, many partners might struggle to find the right temperature setting for their homes. It’s therefore important for both people to find a way to accommodate each other’s needs.
Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The OP’s mother-in-law felt increasingly concerned about the low temperature of her home and felt that turning on the heating a few times in the day was not enough. She felt that the chilliness might affect the baby’s health and even cause problems with her son’s asthma, but the poster didn’t agree and instead felt annoyed by the concern.
There is some truth to the things that the grandma said, as studies have shown that the temperature of a home can affect a person’s mental health, well-being, and productivity. When rooms are very cold, it can make people feel uncomfortable, tense, and even anxious. That’s why it’s important to keep one’s house at the ideal temperature for their body.
Unfortunately, the poster didn’t seem to understand why her mother-in-law was worrying so much. She felt that the older woman was fussing over nothing or trying to jab at her parenting by commenting on the baby’s health. That’s why she bristled at the idea of heating the house up even more, and stubbornly stuck to the 60°F (16°C) temperature.
It can sometimes be difficult for new parents to accept other people’s advice, even if it’s for their good or that of their baby. Hopefully, the poster puts her ego aside and thinks about her mother-in-law’s concerns a bit more to understand why the older woman was worrying so much about the chilliness of the house.
What are your thoughts on this story, and do you think the woman was wrong for keeping her home at such a cool temperature? We’d love to hear what you think.
Many people sided with the poster’s mother-in-law and felt that the climate she described in her home was far too cold
