According to my mother, pregnancy does not equate to frailty, and my wife should remain active to facilitate easier labor, rather than relying on my help with household chores.
My wife, now four months pregnant, suffered from severe morning sickness during her first two months, vomiting at the mere smell of food. Consequently, I managed all the household chores—cooking, laundry, hanging clothes, and washing dishes. These tasks were simple for me and did not significantly disrupt my work. By taking over these duties, I lightened her burden, allowing her to rest and focus on her wellbeing and the baby’s.
Although her health has improved, I continue to perform most household tasks, except for cooking. Occasionally, my wife asks for help with minor tasks, like fetching a glass of water, and I comply without hesitation. I view this as completely normal, yet my mother perceives it as a weakness, accusing me of letting my wife dominate me and asserting that pregnancy is no excuse for avoiding housework. She believes I am spoiling my wife.
I feel deeply frustrated. I look after my wife because I believe it’s the right thing to do. My mother is a woman herself, so why does she hold these views? I refrain from confronting her to avoid conflict, but I strongly disagree with her. She even claims that a child will mimic a “lazy” mother, becoming lazy and difficult to manage growing up. I believe a child’s conduct is shaped by parental guidance, not by a mother’s activity level during pregnancy.
How can I address this issue with my mother without provoking her anger?
Comments are closed.