The first months after the wedding passed peacefully, like a quiet river on a hot summer day. Yana was getting used to the new home, new rules, and a new family. Her mother-in-law, Lidiya Mikhailovna, was cautious but polite, as if studying the new inhabitant of her house, observing and making conclusions.
“The young couple needs time to adjust,” Lidiya Mikhailovna would tell the neighbors. “I’m not the kind of mother-in-law who meddles where she shouldn’t.”
Yana heard these words and felt glad. It seemed she was lucky with her husband’s relatives. Andrey also looked satisfied — his wife and mother were getting along, what more could one want?
But the honeymoon ended sooner than expected. The first warning signs appeared after just six months of living together. Lidiya Mikhailovna began making strange remarks that could be taken as innocent if one didn’t listen closely to her tone.
“Does your mother always speak so loudly?” the mother-in-law asked after a visit from Valentina Petrovna, Yana’s mother.
“My mother is just emotional,” Yana defended her. “She’s happy her daughter got married.”
“I see,” nodded Lidiya Mikhailovna, but something unpleasant flickered in her eyes.
Next time, the remark was about clothing.
“Your mother has an interesting taste,” the mother-in-law commented, eyeing Valentina Petrovna, who had come in a bright dress with large flowers.
“It suits her,” Yana defended.
“Of course, of course,” Lidiya Mikhailovna agreed, but her tone said otherwise.
Yana began feeling uncomfortable but tried not to pay attention to these small digs. Maybe her mother-in-law just needed time to get used to it? After all, the son was married now, and attention was divided between two women.
Everything changed when Yana became pregnant. Lidiya Mikhailovna seemed to transform — she became caring, attentive, surrounding her daughter-in-law with protection. She bought vitamins, prepared healthy food, and monitored the routine.
“Now you’re not just my son’s wife,” said the mother-in-law. “You are the mother of my grandson.”
Yana was touched by such care. Andrey was also happy that the women in the family had finally become friends. It seemed the pregnancy became the bridge that connected them.
Maxim was born in August when the heat outside was suffocating. Yana was in the maternity hospital, while at home Lidiya Mikhailovna was already preparing the room for her grandson — buying a crib, stroller, toys. Andrey could hardly keep up with his mother’s activity.
“Mom, maybe we should wait until Yana comes back?” the son suggested.
“No time to wait,” Lidiya Mikhailovna waved him off. “The baby should arrive in a ready home.”
When Yana was discharged with the newborn, the house really was ready. The nursery shone with newness; jars of baby food stood in the fridge, and neatly folded baby clothes were stacked in the closet.
“Thank you so much,” Yana said emotionally to her mother-in-law.
“Oh, dear, it’s my grandson,” Lidiya Mikhailovna waved it off.
The emphasis on the child’s belonging sounded strange, but Yana attributed it to the fatigue after childbirth. Surely, she misheard.
The first weeks with the baby were hard. Maxim slept poorly, cried often, and demanded constant attention. Yana was sleep-deprived, nervous, feeling inexperienced and helpless.
Lidiya Mikhailovna took the initiative. She would get up at night for the baby, change diapers, prepare formulas. Yana only had to breastfeed.
“Rest,” said the mother-in-law. “I have experience with grandchildren.”
Yana thanked fate for such help. Not every young mother is lucky to have such a caring mother-in-law. Her friends envied her — their mothers-in-law either did not help at all or only criticized.
But gradually Yana started noticing oddities. Lidiya Mikhailovna was too actively managing the childcare process. She chose clothes for Maxim, decided when to bathe him, what to feed him, and when to go for walks.
“Maybe it’s time to start complementary feeding?” Yana timidly suggested.
“Too early,” the mother-in-law cut her off. “I know better.”
“But the pediatrician said…”
“Pediatricians nowadays are young and inexperienced,” interrupted Lidiya Mikhailovna. “And I raised three children.”
Yana felt pushed into the background in matters of raising her own child. But it was awkward to protest — after all, her mother-in-law was so helpful and trying so hard.
When Maxim turned three months old, Valentina Petrovna asked permission to visit her grandson. Yana was glad — she missed her mother and wanted to share the joys of motherhood.
“Of course, Mom, come,” Yana agreed. “Maxim is already smiling; you’ll see.”
Valentina Petrovna arrived on Saturday morning, bringing gifts for her grandson and homemade pies for her daughter. She took Maxim into her arms and beamed with happiness.
“What a handsome boy!” the grandmother cooed. “All you, Yanechka.”
“But the nose is his dad’s,” corrected Lidiya Mikhailovna, watching the scene from afar.
“Maybe so,” agreed Valentina Petrovna. “The main thing is for him to grow healthy.”
Lidiya Mikhailovna wore a displeased face all day. She did not join conversations, did not offer tea, kept distant. Yana tried to involve her mother-in-law, but she gave only monosyllabic answers.
When Valentina Petrovna left, Lidiya Mikhailovna finally let out what had been building up all day.
“Why is your mother always meddling?” the mother-in-law snapped at Yana. “She never put the baby down. I can handle my grandson myself!”
Yana was taken aback.
“Mom just wanted to see her grandson…”
“She already saw him at the hospital. Enough is enough.”
“But Mom is also Maxim’s grandmother,” Yana cautiously objected.
“I’m the grandmother,” Lidiya Mikhailovna snapped. “And your mother should stay at her own home.”
The conversation was interrupted by Andrey returning from work. Lidiya Mikhailovna immediately switched to her son, talking about the grandson and his achievements. She did not mention the conflict with her daughter-in-law.
Yana expected her husband to ask about her mood, to notice her upset face. But Andrey was engrossed in playing with his son and chatting with his mother.
In the evening, when Lidiya Mikhailovna went to her room, Yana tried to talk to her husband.
“Andrey, your mother is against my parents visiting.”
“Why against?” the husband was surprised.
“She said my mother meddles where she shouldn’t.”
“Come on, Mom is just tired today. Don’t pay attention.”
“But it makes me uncomfortable…”
“Yana, don’t make a mountain out of a molehill,” Andrey waved her off. “Mom helps so much, and you’re nitpicking words.”
Yana fell silent. So her husband takes his mother’s side? Or does he just not want to get involved in family quarrels?
The next visit of Valentina Petrovna took place a month later. This time Lidiya Mikhailovna did not hide her displeasure. She met the guest coldly, answered questions shortly, and deliberately busied herself with her own affairs.
“Is Lidiya Mikhailovna not in a good mood?” the mother quietly asked Yana.
“I don’t know,” her daughter lied. “Maybe she’s feeling unwell.”
Valentina Petrovna stayed only a couple of hours and left feeling awkward because of the cold reception. Yana was ashamed of her mother-in-law’s behavior but did not dare intervene.
After the guest left, Lidiya Mikhailovna threw a real tantrum.
“How much longer should I endure this intrusion?!” the mother-in-law yelled. “She comes, commands, teaches me how to handle my grandson!”
“Mom didn’t teach anyone,” Yana tried to defend.
“Didn’t teach? Who said the baby was taken outside too early? Who suggested trying a different formula?”
Yana was confused. Valentina Petrovna had indeed offered a couple of tips, but they sounded like caring advice, not criticism.
“That’s just care…”
“Care is when you don’t meddle in someone else’s family!” Lidiya Mikhailovna interrupted. “I have enough experience to raise my grandson without outside advice!”
Andrey, who was listening from the next room, intervened.
“What’s going on?” the husband asked.
“Your wife brings her mother here, and she meddles where she shouldn’t,” complained Lidiya Mikhailovna.
Andrey looked at his wife, waiting for an explanation.
“Mom just wanted to see her grandson,” Yana said quietly.
“Seeing is fine, but interfering in raising him is not,” Andrey said, siding with his mother.
Yana felt hurt inside. Her husband didn’t even try to understand the situation and immediately sided with his mother.
The following visits from Yana’s parents became a real ordeal. Lidiya Mikhailovna greeted them with a stone face, answered sharply, showing obvious displeasure. Valentina Petrovna felt the tension but didn’t understand the reasons.
“Yanechka, maybe we’re doing something wrong?” the mother asked her daughter. “Lidiya Mikhailovna seems upset.”
“Don’t pay attention, Mom,” Yana reassured. “That’s just her character.”
But inside, everything boiled. Why should her parents feel like unwanted guests in their daughter’s home? Why does the mother-in-law think she has the right to dictate terms?
Yana tried to find a compromise. She suggested meeting her parents in neutral places — cafes, parks, or their own home.
“Good idea,” Lidiya Mikhailovna agreed. “Let them stay at their own place and not disturb us.”
But even this solution didn’t satisfy the mother-in-law. Lidiya Mikhailovna started complaining that Yana was dragging the baby to strangers’ homes, that the grandson might catch a cold or infection.
“It’s calmer at home,” said the mother-in-law. “And your parents should be content with photos.”
The situation escalated daily. Lidiya Mikhailovna no longer hid her dislike for Yana’s relatives. She criticized their clothes, manners, and lifestyle.
“Your mother is too simple a woman,” the mother-in-law once declared. “She’s pushy, always advising and teaching.”
Yana clenched her fists, holding back anger.
“Mom cares about the grandson.”
“Caring is one thing, meddling is another,” Lidiya Mikhailovna cut in.
At that moment, Andrey came home. Yana decided to talk seriously with her husband and demand protection for her parents.
“Andrey, we need to talk,” Yana said firmly when her husband changed after work.
“About what?” Andrey asked tiredly, heading to the fridge.
“About your mother and my parents.”
Andrey stopped, realizing the conversation would be serious. Hearing the beginning, Lidiya Mikhailovna demonstratively left the room, but Yana knew the mother-in-law would be listening from the hallway.
“Your mother insults my parents,” Yana began. “Calls my mother simple and pushy. That’s unacceptable.”
Andrey sighed, rubbing his temples.
“Yana, Mom isn’t insulting anyone. She’s just expressing her opinion.”
“What opinion? That my parents have no right to see their grandson?”
“Don’t dramatize,” the husband waved it off. “No one forbids them visits.”
“She forbids! Your mother demands my parents stay home and be satisfied with photos!”
Andrey was silent, avoiding his wife’s direct gaze. His silence spoke volumes about whose side he was on.
“Listen, Yana,” Andrey finally spoke. “Mom really doesn’t like your family coming so often. Maybe visits should be fewer?”
Yana couldn’t believe what she heard. Her husband truly sided with his mother against his own wife.
“Too often?” Yana asked again. “My parents come once a month!”
“Well, maybe less often then,” Andrey muttered.
“But your mother lives with us all the time,” Yana reminded him. “Is that normal?”
“Mom helps with the baby,” the husband defended. “And your parents only interfere.”
These words were the last straw. Yana understood her husband completely shared his mother’s position. No support was to be expected.
“How do they interfere?” Yana asked coldly. “By loving their grandson? By wanting to be part of his life?”
“They interfere with Mom taking care of Maxim,” Andrey replied. “They constantly give advice and criticize.”
“They don’t criticize; they offer help!”
“Yana, don’t raise your voice,” the husband scolded. “The baby is sleeping.”
Yana clenched her fists, feeling rage boiling inside. Her husband didn’t even try to understand the problem’s essence, immediately took a defensive stance.
Lidiya Mikhailovna appeared in the hallway with a look of complete satisfaction.
“See, son,” the mother-in-law said to Andrey. “I told you your wife is ungrateful. We do so much good, and all we get are complaints.”
“Mom, please don’t interfere,” Andrey weakly asked.
“How can I not interfere when they slander me?” Lidiya Mikhailovna protested. “Do I not have the right to defend myself?”
Yana watched this scene and realized — an alliance had formed against her: mother and son. Two against one. And her husband was not going to break this alliance for the sake of his wife.
“Fine,” Yana said quietly. “I understand who’s the boss in this house.”
“Don’t make a drama,” Andrey grimaced. “Just be reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” Yana repeated. “Meaning forget my parents?”
“Not forget, but limit contact,” her husband clarified. “Mom doesn’t like your family.”
That phrase sounded like a verdict. Her husband openly placed his mother’s wishes above his wife’s interests. The choice was made; the position was clear.
Yana looked at Andrey, trying to find at least a shadow of regret in his face. But her husband stood beside his mother, showing their unity.
“I see,” Yana nodded. “So be it.”
“Good girl,” Lidiya Mikhailovna said smugly. “Finally, reason prevailed.”
Yana turned and went to the bedroom. She needed to be alone to process what was happening. Her husband demanded limiting contact with her own family for her mother-in-law’s peace of mind. He placed his mother’s comfort above his wife’s family ties.
In the bedroom, Yana sat on the bed and closed her eyes. The picture became perfectly clear. Lidiya Mikhailovna was jealous of the grandson toward the other grandparents. She wanted to be the only one influencing the child’s upbringing. And the son supported his mother’s ambitions.
Half an hour later, Andrey entered the room. He sat next to his wife and tried to take her hand.
“Yana, don’t be upset. We’re adults; we can find an agreement.”
“What to agree about?” Yana asked, pulling away from him.
“Well, to find a compromise. Your parents can come, but less often. And they shouldn’t interfere with raising Maxim.”
“And your mother can interfere?”
“Mom lives with us, helps every day,” Andrey explained. “She has more rights.”
“Rights to what? To my child?”
“To the grandson,” the husband corrected. “Maxim is our son.”
“Our son, but not your mother’s,” Yana reminded him.
Andrey grimaced, not wanting to continue the argument.
“Yana, just accept the situation as it is. Mom doesn’t like your family visiting. Let them come less.”
The ultimatum was clear and sharp. No compromises, no concessions. Either Yana agreed to her mother-in-law’s terms, or the conflict would continue.
Yana stood up from the bed and looked at her husband.
“Fine,” she said with a tone that made Andrey uneasy. “Then she shouldn’t see me anymore either.”
“What?” the husband didn’t understand.
“If Mom doesn’t like my family, then she shouldn’t see me either,” Yana repeated. “I’m part of that family too.”
Andrey jumped up from the bed.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean?”
“I won’t stay in a house where my family is considered unwanted,” Yana explained, pulling a bag from the closet.
“Where are you going?” the husband was confused.
Yana didn’t answer and began packing her things. Her movements were precise and determined. No hesitation, no doubts.
“Yana, stop!” Andrey tried to stop her. “Let’s talk calmly!”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Yana replied, packing baby things. “You chose your mother. Live with her.”
“I didn’t choose!” the husband protested. “I just want peace in the family!”
“There will be no peace as long as your mother dictates the terms,” Yana retorted. “And you support those terms.”
Lidiya Mikhailovna peeked into the room, drawn by the loud voices.
“What’s going on?” the mother-in-law asked, seeing her daughter-in-law packing.
“Yana is leaving,” the son complained.
“And rightly so,” Lidiya Mikhailovna surprisingly agreed. “If she doesn’t like it here, let her go to her parents.”
Yana stopped, looking at her mother-in-law. Even now, when the family was falling apart, Lidiya Mikhailovna thought only of herself.
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” Yana answered. “I’m going to the people who respect me.”
“Mom, don’t,” Andrey pleaded weakly.
“You must, son,” Lidiya Mikhailovna insisted. “If your wife doesn’t appreciate your family, what kind of wife is she?”
Yana took sleeping Maxim in her arms. The baby didn’t wake, used to his mother’s hands.
“Where are you taking the baby?” Andrey suddenly realized.
“To the people who love him,” Yana replied. “To the grandparents you consider unnecessary.”
“Yana, think again!” Andrey tried to stop his wife. “Maxim should live with his father!”
“Maxim will live with those who don’t divide his love,” Yana objected.
Andrey could have stopped his wife, apologized, set boundaries with his mother. He could have chosen the family over his mother’s demands. But he stayed silent, watching as his wife packed the last of her things.
“If you leave, don’t expect to come back,” Lidiya Mikhailovna warned.
“I’m not going back,” Yana calmly replied.
Leaving the house, Yana looked back at her husband one last time.
“You had a choice, Andrey. You made it.”
The door closed, cutting off the old life. Ahead were parents who would welcome their daughter and grandson with open arms. The very simple and pushy people the mother-in-law disliked so much.
A taxi took them to her parents’ home in half an hour. Valentina Petrovna opened the door and gasped seeing her daughter with the baby and bags.
“Yanechka, what happened?”
“We came to the people who love us,” Yana replied, hugging her mother.
Questions could wait. For now, it was important to feel wanted, needed, accepted. Where family is respected, not divided into “ours” and “theirs.”
