A woman wonders if she is "overreacting" after revealing the comments that her husband and mother-in-law (MIL) made about her appearance while she was seven-and-a-half-months pregnant.
The woman, posting on Reddit under the username AgileInterest1503, felt humiliated when her husband compared her body to another pregnant woman's, saying she was, "So big she's barely recognizable anymore."
Body Image Struggles
Her MIL joined in the conversation and the two continued making remarks as she sat in silence, trying to hold back tears.
According to the post, this wasn't an isolated incident. The woman, already struggling with body image concerns due to pregnancy weight gain, had been avoiding going out.
The lunch outing was meant to be a rare occasion, but instead, she found herself the subject of jokes she did not find funny.
After returning home and putting her child down for a nap, she cried until she physically got sick, the OP told Redditors.
"My husband is annoyed at me that I'm upset at him and he's not talking to me and now I'm questioning if I'm just hormonal and overreacting to jokes," she continued.
"Thoughts, opinions? Am I just overreacting to playful teasing?"
'He failed'
The emotional weight of the situation resonated with many commentators who responded with outrage and support.
One user wrote, "Not overreacting at all! Your husband should be doing nothing but SUPPORTING you throughout your pregnancy and he failed, miserably.
"What was so funny about them mocking your pregnant state? He'd be sleeping on the couch, or his awful mother's house, if it was me."
Another user reassured the OP that she was, "Not overreacting! That is a totally inappropriate conversation to be having with his mother about your body!
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
When 'Jokes' Become Emotional Harm
Insensitivity in relationships is a common issue that can deeply affect a spouse's emotional well-being.
According to Focus on the Family, repeated hurtful remarks—whether labeled as jokes or not—can damage a marriage. The article states that many couples suffer from a situation where one partner routinely dismisses the other's feelings, making comments like, "You're too sensitive", when confronted.
The organization notes that insensitivity can stem from deeper personality traits, such as a tendency toward emotional detachment or even narcissism, where one partner struggles to recognize the harm they are causing.
If left unchecked, this behavior can escalate, leading to resentment and emotional distance in a relationship.
An article in Newsweek discussed the importance of emotional validation in relationships, emphasizing that feeling heard and understood is crucial.
Relationship coach Sabrina Zohar explained that couples should check in with each other when discussing sensitive topics, asking, "Do you want comfort or solutions?", to ensure both partners feel supported.
'Big moron'
In an update, the OP said that her "big moron" husband is, "Still in the doghouse and we will be taking a bit of space from his mom...
"Thank you everybody so much for the outpouring of concern and also the validation in my feelings that they were indeed being absolute d***heads at lunch."
Newsweek has contacted AgileInterest1503 comment via Reddit.
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