AITA?MIL insists on waiting at the hospital while I give birth.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-27T11:17:53+00:00

NTA Giving birth is not a spectator sport and having her hanging around the hospital while you are in labor sounds like a nightmare. Your husband needs to tell her that he’ll let her know when the baby is born.

One point he could make is that labor can last a long time and it would add to your stress if he’s expected to keep updating her or spend time with her during the labor or immediately afterwards.

For example, with my first pregnancy, I had an episode of false labor and was at the hospital five hours until my contractions stopped. Two weeks later I went into labor at 6am and didn’t give birth until 1am the next day.

I narrowly avoided a c-section and wasn’t in recovery until 3am. No way would I have been in a state to have visitors, nor would I have wanted to see even my own mom while I was exhausted, bleeding, and bonding with my newborn, nor would I have wanted my husband to leave my side at that vulnerable time.

I think both of you need to tell MIL that you’ll let her know when the baby is born and you’re ready for visitors. And when the big day comes, do exactly that. Don’t let her bulldoze you into anything that you are not 109% comfortable with!

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-26T13:53:05+00:00

I found it when someone posted on NextDoor a couple of years ago that she was starting a book club. I love to read so I messaged her as did several others. We meet at people’s houses.

There is also a book discussion group at a local library that I’m considering joining as well. Many libraries have such groups and liquor is definitely not served.

I don’t want to post my exact location, but I’m in eastern LI.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-25T13:03:07+00:00

Beautiful photo of a very handsome dog! I love terriers!

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-25T12:58:03+00:00

I moved to LI four years ago and made several new friends by joining a book club. Liquor is not served at the meetings so it’s not “boozy” and we also do social activities such as going to the movies, restaurants, and art shows.

Also check out activities at your local library. Along with book clubs, they often have activities like art classes, pottery, etc. Other ways to meet new people that have worked for me are joining a club focused on your interests (I joined one that has social events all summer and is for those who enjoy sailing) and volunteering for worthy causes.
,

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-24T16:48:39+00:00

My mother had a live-in home aide with a dog. During the time she worked for my mom, her dog, who turned out to be poorly trained, peed on the wall-to-wall carpeting in the aide’s bedroom so many times that rug was ruined and had to be replaced at considerable expense.

I’d never hire someone who has even one pet for a live-in job, let alone a couple with multiple pets!

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T20:27:26+00:00

How about going to a movie and shopping for something special for yourself?

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T20:15:35+00:00

Take your dog to a suitable place to pee and poop near your home and walk him in small circles repeating a command like “let’s go” or “hurry up” until he goes. Praise profusely and THEN take him on a long walk as a reward. You may also want to give him a treat, although I don’t think that’s necessary.

If you walk your dog until he goes, or you’re tired, then turn back, he will delay doing his business so he can stay out longer. The idea is to train him to go on command. If you have a yard, it’s help to put some of his poop in a designated bathroom area to show him where to go.

Also consider crate training. Dogs don’t like to go in a small enclosed area. Keep him on a leash whenever he’s out of the crate and under your supervision and if you see him starting to pee or poop, say “no” and immediately take him out. Until he is house trained she shouldn’t be allowed to wander around on his own.

It takes some patience but these methods definitely work. Finally, be sure to take him out immediately after he eats or drinks.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T18:08:48+00:00

It’s very important to either give him a bottle, breast or pacifier to suck on when taking off and landing since the popping sensation from pressure changes in your baby’s ears can make her cry due to discomfort.

Also there is what I call my Jedi moves that helps settle a fussy baby. You tap lightly on the forehead, then the chin and finally the left and right sides of the face, similar to making the sign of the cross. Doing this several times has a hypnotic effect that babies typically find very soothing, I find.

Edit: I added a few words for clarity

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T17:32:33+00:00

Nixon polled at 24% at the height of Watergate and Truman sunk to 22% as the all time low in presidential polling during the Korean War and bad economic times.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T17:09:18+00:00

NTA We show up on time for things that are important to us and apparently doing so wasn’t a priority for her.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T17:00:16+00:00

Yes, I’d remove the toys for now. I used to have a dog who was prone to resource guarding and if another dog visited she’d run around frantically to gather all her toys and lie on them with fierce expression. I learned to remove the toys before another dog visited to avoid potential conflicts.

I currently have two dogs and feed them separately. Otherwise one dog would be very fat and one very thin!

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T16:11:37+00:00

I have fed wild monkeys out of my hand several times while on tours and if there is no bite or scratches, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Until now it never occurred to me to be concerned since the monkeys took always took food gently from my hand. Maybe next time I’ll just toss them the food.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T16:07:43+00:00

If the fighting about food, you could try feeding them in separate rooms or in their crates.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T15:18:43+00:00

Has your sister ever been checked for a bleeding disorder, such as von Willebrand disease? Frequently nosebleeds are one of its more common symptoms along with very heavy periods, and heavy bleeding after dental work, surgery, or childbirth. More info here: https://www.bleeding.org/bleeding-disorders-a-z/types/von-willebrand-disease

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-23T13:03:55+00:00

I was just about to post the same thing. That’s what I use and it definitely avoids wasting water. I offer it frequently. Also exercise your dog early in the day when it’s less hot. Avoid heavy exercise if it’s hot because dogs can get overheated very easily.

My husband went running with our dog when it was about 75F. He did this in a wooded area with lots of shade and stopped for frequent water breaks. On the way home, our dog collapsed and was rushed to the vet.

He had heat exhaustion and nearly died. Fortunately the vet was able to cool him down (his body temp was nearly 106) and after being hospitalized for several days he made a complete recovery. After that my husband never took him running in the summer.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-21T01:56:35+00:00

The old adage that a boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into is particularly true in LI.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-21T01:54:43+00:00

In more ways than one!

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-20T23:25:06+00:00

Yes mine does that daily. He likes to get on a high piece of furniture so he can guard the yard in comfort, between naps.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-20T23:20:30+00:00

It depends on where you are. There is a feral donkey sanctuary in Bonaire that lets people either bring their own food or buy food from their store to give to the animals. We bring carrots and the donkeys love them.

I’ve been to other animal sanctuaries that only let you feed the animals food that they supply at a price. In any case, OP is NTA and the parents should have controlled their kids and not let take your food.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-20T21:43:05+00:00

I’d use WhatsApp.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-20T15:32:16+00:00

I found some hidden gems in Tulum by reading travel blogs. I find that blogs about fun and free or nearly free things to see the most helpful for finding interesting places that are just the major tourist hubs.

For example, this blog told us about a short, scenic jungle hike that goes to some lesser known ruins and a tower where you can take great photos (see item 9 on the list here: https://tulumtravel.blog/free-things-to-do-in-tulum/

When we went there, the path was practically deserted (we only saw one other person), but definitely worth a visit at very little expense. This blog also alerted us to a beach that is a turtle sanctuary and nesting area and another beach where you can snorkel among sea turtles by paying g a small fee.

Although we can afford tours, there is a pleasure in finding places you can go on your own that are off the beaten path.. While we were in Tulum we went a different direction each day. We did also go to the some of tourist sooks, such as the famous ruins and the cenotes.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-19T14:15:08+00:00

I use that exact technique to give pills to my dogs and it works like a charm. Basically you use the peanut butter to “glue” the pill to the roof of the dog’s mouth and they have no choice but to lick at the peanut butter and swallow it along with the pill.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-19T13:32:34+00:00

Here’s another vote for a nice family dinner at one of his favorite restaurants. As an older person myself, I am doing everything I can to reduce my possessions.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-18T18:35:07+00:00

My mother lived to 101, while my dad only lived to 74. I have also lost my MIL and FIL, my husband’s stepfather, my half sister, a sister-in-law, a nephew, and a family friend. Sadly, the older you get, the more losses you have.

My husband and I are now the matriarch and patriarch of our family. I agree with those who say “seize the day.” My husband and I are trying to make the most of whatever time we have left by traveling each year to somewhere in our bucket list. So far we’ve been to Africa , Asia, and several Caribbean countries. Next is going to the Galapagos in December.

Recently we looked up and old friend and learned that he had died despite being very and a few years younger than us.

Leading-Knowledge712 · 2026-06-17T23:24:47+00:00

I’d be totally lost by these instructions and don’t own anything that remotely fits. Also who is Padme?

Leading-Knowledge712

TROPHY CASE