The baby has arrived and so have your in-laws.

Chances are they were involved in some way during your pregnancy. They may have watched what you ate, tried to trick the baby’s gender out of you even though you were clear you didn’t want to tell or perhaps they wanted to help name the baby following their family’s tradition.

Involving your in-laws because you want to is one thing. Doing so unwillingly opens the door for your in-laws to take over, or at the least—upset you. And once opened, the door can be difficult to close.

The arrival of your newborn shifts family dynamics and gives you more power than you probably realize. Most of us want to share the joy with our in-laws, but no matter how good your relationship was before the baby or how gracious you are, conflicts arise.

6 common in-law problems and how to set grandparent boundaries

1. Arriving unannounced

In-laws may not see any reason to call—you are family after all, they think. They want to see the baby and that’s what they intend to do.

Emphasize how much you want them to visit, but remind them that you need to rest when the baby sleeps and that is totally unpredictable. So, a head’s up for when they’d like to visit would be appreciated. You might say, “We love that you want to stop by, but please call first so the baby and I don’t both sleep through your visit.”

2. The parent/in-law tug-of-war

From their point of view—one set of grandparents believes (whether or not they’re correct) that the other set spends more time with the new baby.

It is rare that two sets of parents have equal time—typically your parents are around more often and in-laws feel slighted. To calm jealousy, reassure your in-laws that the time together—whether short or extended—tells you what fabulous grandparents they will be, how you look forward to sharing the wonder of the baby as she grows.

3. Questioning your choices

Criticism, advice and suggestions around caring for your baby run the gamut from breast to bottle feeding, from getting the baby to sleep to sleeping with the baby, right down to the temperature in the house.

Hear an in-law out, but if you believe in the choices you’ve made, an in-law’s comments should not bother you as much.

Related: How grandparents can help (6 ways without overstepping)

4. Doing “it” the in-law way

If, for instance, your mother-in-law wants to hold the baby until he falls asleep or anything else that will not permanently disrupt the baby’s routine (or yours), let her. Some disagreements are not worth arguing about.

Gain a few ‘points’ by saying, “Thank you for taking care of (whatever she does) or teaching me another way to calm the baby,” for example. In all in-law issues, call up your sense of humor when an in-law is particularly insistent and intrusive. And, when your way is decidedly not your in-law’s, you can gently remind him or her that new developments in child rearing have their merits.

5. Helpful—not really

Generally, in-laws want to be useful—they know you need help. In-law assistance that makes your life more difficult can be turned around if you speak up.

No one is a mind reader. Instead of being polite and going along with what they offer, think ahead of time to tasks that visiting in-laws (whether from out of town or just across town) could do. Also consider what your in-laws are good at and like to do. Pointing them in useful directions by assigning jobs you can’t find time for or are too exhausted to do—a few loads of laundry, grocery shop, prepare dinner, put gas in the car, put together new baby equipment—will help reduce some of your stress.

6. An extended visit

Long visits are great if you adore your in-laws and they are super helpful. However, it can be stifling and exhausting if they are not helpful or if they need to be entertained.

When your in-laws tell you their plans, announcing that won’t work or it’s too many days is much more likely to be accepted coming from their son than from you. Hearing it from you, they will think you are trying to keep them away from the baby.

When you say, ‘your parents are impossible!’ chances are your partner will agree with you. He knows that. He lived most of his life with them—until you and the baby arrived. Insist that he deliver the message of a reduced visit and provide specific dates.

Related: Mom lets grandparents break the rules—and it’s winning hearts online

7. Oversharing baby updates

Some in-laws want every detail: nap lengths, feeding schedules, photos, videos, even the color of the baby’s poop. While their enthusiasm is sweet, it can feel like managing a second job.
Set gentle limits by providing updates on your terms. You might say, “We’ll send pictures every few days so we can focus on settling into our routine.” This keeps them included while protecting your bandwidth.

Related: Four grandparents, one roof—why this mom is all in on multi-generational living

8. Competing for “firsts”

Your in-laws might be eager to be present for milestone moments, first outing, first solid food, first holiday outfit, and may express disappointment when they aren’t included.
Reassure them that they are important, but remind them that these moments often unfold naturally in daily life. You can offer something special just for them: “You’ll be the first to take her to the park when the weather warms up,” for example.

Related: Sweden now pays grandparents to take parental leave. America, it’s time to catch up.

9. Giving outdated or unsafe baby items

Heirlooms are meaningful, but a 1990s crib or a 40-year-old car seat isn’t necessarily safe—and saying no can feel ungrateful.
Approach with appreciation and clarity. Try: “We love that you saved this, and it means a lot. But safety standards have changed so much. Let’s keep it as a keepsake and use it in the nursery decor.” This validates their effort without compromising safety.

10. Expecting the same traditions

Your in-laws may assume their holiday rituals, religious customs, or cultural practices will automatically continue with your baby.
Let them know which traditions you hope to carry on, and gently establish where you’ll be creating your own. A simple, “We’re excited to start some traditions of our own while still keeping parts of yours alive,” allows room for both families, and your new family, to feel honored.

Related: Don’t feel guilty for reminding your kids’ grandparents they need to update their parenting skills

A version of this post was published March 8, 2017. It has been updated.