How do you deal with a mother-in-law who thinks she knows better than you about your own child?

My mother-in-law wanted to feed my 5 month old daughter some ice cream and asked me if she could taste it. Her pediatrician told me that she may have a little lactose intolerence, so I was very hesitant. Then I looked over and saw that she was feeding her spoonfuls of ice cream. I told her that I didn't want her feeding it to her, and she said ';Well, she likes it.'; Then she continued to give it to her. She wouldn't stop until my husband told her to. I've been irritated all day about it, and I feel like I can't stand her. Any advice?How do you deal with a mother-in-law who thinks she knows better than you about your own child?
How incredibly rude! Good job to your husband for stepping in and standing up for you and your child.

My best advise is to just be assertive. I'm sure things will come up but if you are assertive in having your mother-in-law do what is best for your daughter and respect your wishes, eventually she should get it.

In such a situation as you mentioned, you could go over and take the child, stating that it is not okay for her to have ice-cream and your reasons why. I've also found that suggesting a substitute is usually helpful. You could suggest that she feed your daughter her normal food, or a favorite healthy snack. It's a tricky situation, good luck. Just remember that you are the only one who is there to stand up for your child. She can't say ';grandma no, it makes my tummy hurt.';How do you deal with a mother-in-law who thinks she knows better than you about your own child?
ALL mother in laws are like that, tho her knowing the baby might be lactose intollerant and not stopping shows her lack of mothering skills
This is very typical. You need to communicate better with her. If necessary do what my son did - write out your expectations and give it to her as a contract to sign! I did and things are going better!
Your husband needs to let his mother know that she needs to respect your parenting decisions, and if she doesn't she will not be allowed unsupervised time with the child(ren). Simple as that.
Talk to your husband and let him handle it.



People like heroin too...but it still isnt good to be shoving it in your arm!
Talk to your husband and get him to agree that when you tell his mom ';No,'; he'll back you up. But when you're not around, she's going to do whatever she wants. So don't leave your little girl over there alone. If mom wants to know why, just tell her something like ';Oh, well, every time we pick her up she's sick/has bad gas/stays up all night.'; She'll be pissed but might get the message.
gosh, I don't know what I would have done in your situation, after you'd already told her twice not to give the baby the ice cream.



Maybe: ';Um, maybe you didn't hear me. I said I REALLY didn't want her to have that.......perhaps you'd like to take her to the emergency room tonight when she starts developing problems?';



that might have done it. :) At least your husband stuck up for you (and didn't take mom's side!) yey for your husband!!!!
you are going to have to get a back bone here and tell her you make the rules with your child and you would appreciate if she would respect that and if that dont work then I suggest you tell your husband to deal with her. Its not your place anyway, its his mother.
This is one of those cases where the spouse has to protect the other. You do the same with your parents. Your guy needs to step up and let his mother know she was out of bounds and that such things are not to be repeated. You can do it but it will go much, much better if he does his job as he should.
Babies at that age should not be given ice cream i do agree with you, but you really shouldn't be angry at your mother-in-law you should have told her i asked you not to give her any why did you go behind my back and do it anyways, it may upset your babys stomach. so tell her not to do it anymore they don't even drink whole milk at that age.
she need to respect you as this child's mother.And YOU have to demand respect from her. and that's the bottom line.
Was she made aware that your child might have lactose intolerance. If she was made aware, then she crossed the line of safety, even if it was a mild case of intolerance, that much ice cream could have made her sick. Make sure she understands, what your doctor said and how you feel about it.
TELL HER THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE AND YOU NEED SOME SPACE
you just have to put her straight on who is the MOTHER and who is the grand mother. this is you child and you have to stand up for your child and if that means putting your mother in law down, so be it. she would not have have stood for it when her children were young and you don't have to put up with her disrespect of your wishes. there's nothing to deal with but to put her straight on what you expect when she is at your home or any time when YOUR children are concerned. you are the one with the final word on your daughter and if she cannot control herself on your wishes you do not want her handlling YOUR child. she may not like what you say, but, she will want to be around her grand daughter, so i think she will listen to your strong words. good luck. remember this is your child and you are the one in control of her.
Tell her what the doctor said. Hand her the poor baby to take care of when it starts affecting her.