Dealing with the in-laws

I had a very interesting evening last night with the in-laws. They came over for dinner and all was well until my wife's younger brother (age 11) carries our nine month onto the couch walking away right after leaving our son unattended. At this point red flags came up immediately. I was 10 feet away and called for JD's name (wife's younger brother) asking him what he was doing. He froze and had no idea what was going on. I had to immediately rush over and snatch our son before him falling to the floor. I was at this point very flustered and irritated at these happens. The next ten minutes everybody was quiet including my wife's mom. She took up offense at her son towards me as I was trying to protect my son from falling off the couch.

***Keep in mind my wife's in-laws are not Christians. My wife came from a very dysfunctional home with an absent father and a mother that was very abusive both physically and emotionally.***

My thinking as a father is to protect my family and that's what I was doing. My wife told me after they had left that my wife's mom was embarrassed with her son and upset with me. I honestly don't see myself in the wrong. Also from experience and heresay my wife's mom is very protective over her kids but then again she has beat them a number of times in the past which I don't get.

What would you guys have done in that moment when seeing something like this?

What would you guys have done in that moment when seeing something like this?

I have been in similar situations. I just simple would have walked over to my son scooped him up and then calmly called out to the brother in law and shared with him that the baby is still to little to be left unattended. I would have calmly shared that while the baby is learning to do things for himself that he isn't at that point yet to get down off the couch on his own so he still needs help. Now if you feel that your brother in law knew that the baby was in danger of getting a bump on the head if he had fallen off the couch and he left the baby on purpose then that is another matter all together. As I said I have been in this situation and sometimes as parents we can "over" react in the moment with out realizing it. Not saying you were doing that just something I have learned.

rdg

I agree. Handling in-laws is like trying to hold a glass vase 20' high while walking on a tight rope. I've only been married for almost two years and with my little experience it's tricky business at times.

Men what do you guys think?

There are always going to be
difficult people who will try
to cause problems and stir up
strife.
Answer them not a word. Your
example and your walk should
speak for you.
Pray for an extra measure of
grace and a double portion of
patience. Mix well with wisdom
from above. That is the recipe
for dealing with difficult
folks!