Don’t Ask Nanna: About Your In-Laws

Hi Nanna,

I’m a new mom and while I love love love my “tengdamamma” I am a little overwhelmed by the barrage of advice that she “gives” me. It’s like I don’t do anything right and because my mother-in-law’s got experience I should just defer to her judgment on everything. I’ve tried being polite about it and my partner has also kind of hinted to her that she back off a bit but she’s not really catching the drift.

Anyway, any help appreciated.

Mommy Dearest

Dear Mommy Dearest,

I’m always being told how to parent my child, “Nanna no, don’t wash your baby with bleach,” or “Nanna no, don’t sell your baby’s organs on the black market” and you know what I tell them? If I want to leave my child in the care of wild wolves when I go to work, that’s my business.

Now, I don’t usually strive to give actual advice because it might encourage people to keep asking me questions. But as a fellow new mother I will make an exception this ONE TIME. Your partner needs to tell your mother-in-law to back off more clearly. And if she still keeps at it, your partner needs to add an “or else.”

Don’t doubt yourself, you do you boo-boo. You do you.

Nanna

Dear Nanna,

I love to run and want to keep up my routine while I visit Reykjavík next month, can you recommend any good running routes or paths?

Best,

Road Runner

Dear Road Runner,

You plan to actually exercise on your holiday? On purpose?

Even if I did know where to run to – and I don’t – why on earth would I encourage you to work out on your vacation?

Nanna

Hi Nanna,

How’s the cell reception on the more remote roads in Iceland?

CallMeMaybe

Hi CallMeMaybe,

I’ve got no idea, I’ve never left Reykjavík. And I don’t own a cell phone. In fact I don’t even know what a phone is. Or how to read. Or what I’m saying?

Nanna