u/Mediocre-Web-5222

AITA for "preventing" my 3yo from bonding with his dad and toxic, visiting in-laws?

I need some perspective. My husband and I have lived in the US for 15 years and have a 3-year-old son. My conventional in-laws are currently visiting from abroad. They have history of being toxic toward me, which makes it incredibly hard to just "forget and move on," but I tried my best to be accommodating the first few days.

Things quickly went downhill, and now my husband is blaming me for everything. Here is the situation:

  • The In-Laws: They sleep all day and wake up right when my husband gets home, yet complain they are bored. We have a morning cook, and my MIL complained that the cook's presence is why she's bored—but when asked to cook for my picky FIL, she refused. Instead, I caught her bitching on the phone to her daughters that I "only cook for my husband and kid." They constantly mock me in their room, whispering about how I'm "making faces," which I can clearly hear. I’ve completely disengaged and stopped serving them morning tea.
  • My Son’s Reaction: My 3yo doesn't want to interact with them (and they don't really try, outside of forcing him to give "hugs and kisses to dadi"). Because of the extreme tension in the house, my son has become incredibly clingy to me. He is also pulling away from his dad, mostly because my husband is never around due to work, the gym, and catering to his parents. My son has even started refusing to let his dad touch or pick him up from school if I'm not there.
  • The Breaking Point: Yesterday, I felt severely nauseous and dizzy. When I called my husband for help, he joked that I was faking it or pregnant. My 3yo ran to get me water. When my husband realized I was actually sick, he came into the kitchen and tried to touch me. Out of reflex, I pushed him away. Seeing this, my son stepped in to protect me and kicked his dad.
  • The Fallout: All hell broke loose. My husband is now completely ganging up on me with his parents. He claims I am "clinching" our son and starving him of a father's love. He told me I need to "get out of the house," accused me of serving his parents stale food, and said I should go live with the neighbors because I was seen laughing with them while his parents were bored at home. He is suggesting that I stay in my room or leave the house for few hours so they can all force a bond with my son.

I refuse to hide in my own home, and I am happy being my son's safe space. But under this constant pressure and blame from my husband, I’m starting to second-guess myself. Am I wrong here? Am I actually the one damaging my son's relationship with his father, or am I just dealing with a toxic echo chamber?

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u/Mediocre-Web-5222 — 9 days ago