Anonymous wrote:Ugh, OP. Call her out on it. And say what you said here: "Mom, with all of your experience, you know full well that kids cry, and it's not a tragedy. If you swoop in every time he cries, that's giving him positive reinforcement for crying. Please stop."

+1

Sounds super annoying OP...

Ugh, OP. Call her out on it. And say what you said here: "Mom, with all of your experience, you know full well that kids cry, and it's not a tragedy. If you swoop in every time he cries, that's giving him positive reinforcement for crying. Please stop."

"Mom, I need you to keep those comments to yourself. If you can't, then I'll have to ask you to leave."

If she sweeps in and actually picks up the baby or something similar, then take the baby (or toy or whatever) and in a calm voice ask her to leave.

Rinse and repeat. Do not engage in any lengthy explanation. The less verbage, the better. The more consistent you are, the quicker she'll stop this irritating behavior.

Every time my mother visits and my one year old DS cries over something, my mom acts like she's never seen a baby cry before and just can't stand to see DS upset. I get it, she's grandma and it breaks her heart to see her grandson cry over something-- teething, having a toy taken away, being tired, having a little tantrum over something-- but last time she came to visit it was getting pretty irritating. She also tries to somehow make it about a fault in my parenting, such as it's too cold for him, I need to get him to nap more, I need to let him keep a toy in his hand, I need to do this or that instead. Then she sweeps in and picks him up as if she's some sort of rescuer. When I try to call her out on it, she suddenly showers me with praise about what a wonderful parent I am and she just feels bad for poor little grandchild. I feel like it's a game. Funny thing is, she was a teacher, had a few kids herself and you'd think she's understand that it's not a national tragedy and that yes, babies/toddlers cry every day over something. Anyone else been through this dynamic?