Boundaries exist for a reason, and it’s our job to enforce our own. 

We’re all told about the importance of maintaining our own boundaries. It’s not an easy thing to do. We might be used to people-pleasing and compromising on our own happiness to make everything okay. But there are a few instances in which we should never do this, and the time after having a child is one of them. It’s a tough time for the person who just gave birth, and a magical time all the same. It would be easy to get overwhelmed by others in our space. If you’re the type of person who recharges when you’re alone, you might want to protect that time with your life. You’ll already be sleep-deprived, so it’s not a good time to mess with your routine. You might want help from your extended family, but sometimes help comes at too steep a cost. 

It’s understandable that in-laws and grandparents would be excited to meet their first grandchild. After all, they’re part of the family. It’s a huge event for them as well. But there is always time in the world to do that. The priority should be keeping everyone safe and happy, and that’s easier to do in a small bubble. It’s understandable that you would want to keep the circle small at first. After all, it’s your baby, and you should be allowed to set your own boundaries. It’s your time to assert that as a parent.