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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Not the hill to die on. Toughen up.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Too sensitive.

[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 being too sensitive. Please let your child have a normal loving relationship with his grandparent no matter what your relationship with your MIL looks like.

[Anonymous]

yes, too sensitive

[Anonymous]

Oh dear! You are in for a long hard journey, toughen up chica.

[Anonymous]

I call my DD li'l piggy all the time. Your MIL loves her grandchild. Find a way to let it go.

[Anonymous]

Not okay. Your husband needs to say something to her and she needs to stop. She doesn't get to call your child lil piggy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not okay. Your husband needs to say something to her and she needs to stop. She doesn't get to call your child lil piggy.

She is feeding her grandchild for criminy sakes!

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Banish her

[Anonymous]

Yes, too expensive. It's endearing.

[Anonymous]

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.