MIL Calls Baby 'lil Piggy' when he's being fed. I'm I being too sensitive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I call my son stink man. Doesn't mean he really stinks!

Janet Lansbury (of RIE fame) says not to call kids names like this, even in an endearing way. It makes them feel self-conscious for no reason. Normally, I'm not nutty about stuff like this, but here's an anecdote - my DH has an 11 year old son. Since the age of about 4, my DH would call him stinky feet and pretend his feet stunk. He didn't mean any harm, but his son actually has an enormous complex about it now.

There's a huge difference between an infant under the age of 1 being spoon-fed and a 4 year old. There's time to adjust the behavior if or when the child becomes verbal and objects. If the child asks or objects, then you get grandma to tone it down. At the infant stage, terms of endearment in cute voices is a good way to draw and keep a child's attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is your child. Tell her you want her to stop saying this.

This is about boundaries. She is overstepping her boundaries here. You'll need to set much more difficult boundaries later on. Start now.

Whoa. Talk about boundaries. This is overbearingly control freakish. It's a pet name for a grandchild. If you start drawing lines in the sand for something so minor as this, you will develop a very caustic relationship between yourself and your mother-in-law and poison your family interactions. This PP's advice is very poor advice unless your MIL is already overbearing and contrary.

OP's child is less than a year old. It will be a very long and hard life if OP takes this advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This little piggy saying has been going on for generations. Most of our parents used it, you just don't remember. You sound like a pain in the ass daughter in law.

There is absolutely nothing in the OP's post that would out her as a "pain in the ass daughter in law". She described her MIL's interactions in a positive way ("very sweet") and noted that she has tried to address it in a gentle way. You are just being nasty for absolutely no reason.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, I keep trying to take this thread seriously, but all my brain can do is recall this endearing scene withnMommys Little Piggy:

https://youtu.be/2FKdtV-rPhI

[Anonymous]

Babies make people say irrational things. I can't help saying I want to eat the baby. I get it sounds weird, but they're so yummy!

Let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I call my daughter piglet when she eats as she sounds like one when she roots around. I think it's adorable. We also call her Snufalaphagus

My dad always called me Snufalagus or Snuffie for short. I remember it fondly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope that would kind of annoy me too. You recently had a baby...you're allowed to be sensitive. Say something half-joking once or twice and if she doesn't take the hint, make a more direct comment.

Plus 1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL talks to DC very sweetly when he's being fed by spoon, but calls him 'lil piggy', like here you go 'lil piggy num num'. It makes me cringe and I have gently said, 'don't say that to him' but she always does it. It really bothers me. DC has really chubby cheeks, but he is not overweight. DH thinks I'm being too sensitive.

You are not, there are plenty of endearing names to call some one you love. I wouldn't allow it, set your boundaries, you are the mother.

[Anonymous]

Is this the only thing she does that annoys you or one of many?

Does she generally listen to requests about your baby?

[Anonymous]

I would have no issue. In my culture that is a term of endearment when used that way.

[Anonymous]

Waaaaaayyyy too sensitive. Land mines everywhere for your MIL, poor lady.

Let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, too sensitive

Yes my mil says much snider comments than this when they stay at or house for 2 weeks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like it's just a term of endearment she uses, and not a commentary on his size. I cal my girls my lil boo boos. People just have little phrases they use.

+1

I agree with PPs that it's not ok to make comments about size/appearance to older kids (especially girls), even as a "joke,." But this sounds like a baby who is too young to understand, and it's meant as a term of endearment, so I would definitely let it go. Chunky babies and toddlers are adorable! MIL is not trying to shame your baby for eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL talks to DC very sweetly when he's being fed by spoon, but calls him 'lil piggy', like here you go 'lil piggy num num'. It makes me cringe and I have gently said, 'don't say that to him' but she always does it. It really bothers me. DC has really chubby cheeks, but he is not overweight. DH thinks I'm being too sensitive.

I don't know if you are crazy or just pathetic. Maybe both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This little piggy saying has been going on for generations. Most of our parents used it, you just don't remember. You sound like a pain in the ass daughter in law.

There is absolutely nothing in the OP's post that would out her as a "pain in the ass daughter in law". She described her MIL's interactions in a positive way ("very sweet") and noted that she has tried to address it in a gentle way. You are just being nasty for absolutely no reason.

New place. The OP is a super sensitive twit. PP to whom you responded is not being nasty. Telling the truth is not being nasty because OP is a PITA DIL and probably as PITA all around person.