I need to vent a little and seek advice. My sister-in-law is pregnant, which should be a joyous occasion, but I find myself feeling overwhelmed with emotions. It’s not that I’m not happy for her, but I can’t shake this feeling of anxiety and jealousy. Has anyone else experienced mixed emotions when a close family member becomes pregnant? How did you handle it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
You depend on your MIL for support. It would be beneficial to work on your mindset to avoid damaging your relationship during this time of need. It’s important to remember that everyone has their own unique challenges in life, and we must navigate our own paths. Seek support from a therapist and take steps to prioritize your own happiness while maintaining relationships with family. Remember that we all have different journeys and it’s important to focus on healing and moving forward.
I suggest considering therapy as a way to cope with the situation. Self-isolating is common but can negatively impact relationships. It’s important to set boundaries, but they come with consequences. Your brother-in-law’s comment was inappropriate. Taking breaks, setting limits, or expressing not feeling well due to hormones can help. If that’s difficult, therapy may be beneficial. This is a sensitive time for your sister-in-law as well. It’s understandable to become self-absorbed during infertility struggles. Best of luck as you wait for results. This waiting period is challenging.
Your brother-in-law was out of line with his comment and if he makes a similar remark in the future, your husband should be the one to address it. However, it’s understandable if your in-laws are upset if you completely withdraw from a major event. It’s okay to not be highly involved or respond frequently, but completely opting out to the extent of ghosting group chats may be excessive. You have the right to do so, but it’s also valid for them to express their displeasure with that choice.
Is it possible to express your feelings to your MIL by mentioning your desire to be involved and looking forward to meeting their baby, but also explaining that you are unable to handle constant WhatsApp conversations at the moment? This seems like a reasonable request in my opinion.
My sister-in-law is also expecting a baby. Thankfully, living 26 hours away is a big relief for me. They shared the news with us the day before my FET procedure. 