A pregnant woman has sparked debate online after sharing that she’s refusing to let her mother-in-law sleep in her unborn child’s nursery during a family visit — even though the baby hasn’t arrived yet.
In a post shared to Reddit, the anonymous 28-year-old explained that she and her husband recently finished preparing a nursery for their first child, who is due next month. Their home doesn’t have a guest room, so visitors typically sleep on an air mattress in the living room or book a hotel nearby.
When her mother-in-law asked to visit the following weekend, the woman agreed — but reminded her that she’d be staying on the air mattress. That’s when tensions rose.
“She seemed offended,” the woman wrote. “She texted me, ‘Can’t I just stay in the baby’s room? He’s not even here yet.’”
The expectant mom stood firm: “I told her no, because it’s fully set up and I want it to stay clean and ready. Plus, it just feels weird having someone sleep in there.”
Her mother-in-law didn’t take the answer well, reportedly accusing her of being “uptight” and treating her “like an outsider.” The woman’s husband, caught in the middle, said they “maybe could’ve let her,” but is otherwise staying neutral.
Now the mom-to-be is wondering if she overreacted.
While some Reddit users supported her decision, many others urged her to reconsider.
“The nursery will barely be used in the beginning — your baby will likely be sleeping in your room for months,” one commenter pointed out. “An air mattress and a suitcase aren’t going to ruin anything. Sounds like you might be using this as a way to send a message.”
Another added: “The living room isn’t exactly a comfortable place for a guest to unwind. If the nursery is clean and empty, why not let her use it temporarily?”
Still, others defended the poster’s instincts: “It’s your house and your comfort zone. You’re preparing to become a mom. You’re allowed to set boundaries.”
With the visit approaching and opinions divided, it’s clear the debate over baby space — and in-law boundaries — is far from settled.
