Different culture or possessive..?

My dad’s an immigrant and refers to my baby as “my daughter” It used to annoy me but it does seem cultural. But if they’re disrespecting your other boundaries that’s probably why it bothers you so much.

Girl same. I don't speak Spanish either. My mil only speaks Spanish and calls my son her baby to. It rubs me so wrong. I'm also not close to her at all. She doesn't have boundaries she comes into the house and tries to just take him from me and barely wants to give him back.

@Mar I am so so happy I am not alone. Well I am sorry you're going through that too but dang girl I feel so alone 🥲 Especially because my partner doesn't help stand up for my boundaries as much as he should and I wish he would tell his parents to stop calling her that but he doesn't understand my perspective so he doesn't. 😐 How do you handle the situation? Do you and your s/o ever fight about it? Does he establish boundaries for you?

We have so much in common. The fact is I convinced my husband to move 4 hours away from them for a reason. It has worked out so far. I give birth in June. My MIL refuses to speak English. I made peace with it. It works in my favor since I don't have to talk to her or deal with her as much as others.

I live in Mexico and my Mexican in laws always say that to my son. Pretty much all abuelos would. There's absolutely nothing possessive here so I wouldn't bother with that. Of course I would be pissed to have them unannounced (that can be cultural but also not. It really depends on families.). But if you don't want it you should set firm boundaries and explain that this is not ok for you and that for the sake of everyone they must respect boundaries. My in laws are lovely and very respectful but we also have to communicate because we are fro different culture and background. It usually works.

I'm trying to learn Spanish too! My boyfriends family is Spanish and his mom acts the same way, it think they just see it as endearing yknow?

Hey I am from Venezuela and that is a very Spanish thing to say. Translating Spanish to English sometimes gives you a different sense of meaning. The dropping unannounced it is also a very cultural thing it is very different for the Latin culture. By this I am not saying you should set your boundaries with them, all I am saying it's just very different from other cultures. Also it varies from country to country.

i feel you’ i’m hispanic tho so it’s a little different but i get annoyed because they say it in a baby voice which triggers me and makes me want to shut them up ! I do make sure i put a face that makes it look like i don’t like it when they call my baby that , it’s maybe cultural but to me it’s not ok especially a mother hearing that !

It’s a term of endearment.. not possession.

Thank you everyone who commented. Special thanks to @Kimberly and @Sybel for a deeper insight on the matter.

Showing up unannounced can be annoying and I world suggest speaking to your husband about it. He can let them know that you guys need to know ahead of time etc. Make sure you set boundaries but the “mi Bebe” “ mi Nińa is literally just a form of showing there love for your child. I think you’re overthinking it because it’s sometimes hard to understand cultural differences. But this is very common in Latin cultures. I am Mexican American and I would always say “mi nińo “ to my nephew. I didn’t mean it literal like “hey this is my child” . .. hope it helps you understand it a bit more ❤️

It’s def cultural, in most Spanish speaking countries they have some variation of that and they say it even to non family, pets etc: it’s more of a term of endearment. Regarding the unannounced visits ALSO a Hispanic thing. I’m Dominican and our parents feel entitled to our home, space, presence etc. they expect and demand unrestricted access to you life but it’s literally cultural too. “I’m your parent why wouldn’t I have an open invite to your house?”. Americans aren’t like that at all. Everyone is very independent and for the most part respect boundaries or calling before pulling up… I tried setting boundaries with my mom about coming unannounced and she said I betrayed her lol

Me and my family are white and they still refer to her as "my love" or "my babygirl" etc. It's just an expression of love, but everyone's boundaries are different, and if it bothers you, you're allowed to speak up x