Hello, My husband, who’s 29, and I, 41, got married just a year ago. From the beginning, my mother-in-law disapproved of our marriage. I always thought it was because of our age difference and her belief that I couldn’t give her the grandchildren she dreamed of. Now that I’m pregnant, I expected her to be happy, but things have only gotten worse. Instead of celebrating, her attitude has become even more bitter. She constantly crosses boundaries, bombarding me with unwanted advice and making hurtful comments aimed at undermining me. It feels like she’s doing everything she can to make this joyous time difficult for me.

At a large family dinner recently, she made a humiliating comment about my changing body. In front of everyone, she looked at me with disdain and said, “Looks like you’re putting on weight quicker than expected.” Her cruel words cut deeply, leaving me feeling devastated, as if my pregnancy was merely something for her to mock. I’m worried that her bitterness will only intensify as my pregnancy progresses. I feel unprepared to handle this, and any advice on how to deal with the situation would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Cassie