My Father-in-Law (FIL) disagreed with my decision to work after having a child. My husband was supportive of my decision and would stand up for me. Even with his vocal support my FIL would continue with digs by questioning my ability to be a parent and my love for my child.

My FIL came to visit us when my daughter was 5 months old. At one point in the morning my husband went upstairs to change her. We split childcare duties, so this wasn’t unusual. As my husband is leaving the room, my FIL asks me “Can you change a diaper?” I reply, “Yes, I have many times. So can (insert husband’s name).”

Throughout the day there are more put-downs on me as a working mother. For example, we are driving to lunch and my daughter starts to cry. FIL says, “She thinks she’s going to daycare.”

I’m normally a pretty even-keel person and don’t easily get upset. The attacks as a working parent came as soon as my FIL learned I was planning to return to work, so I had been dealing with this for months. I was angry and hurt.

After returning from lunch I go upstairs to change my daughter when inspiration strikes. I take off the old diaper and pull her pants back up. I then rush downstairs and immediately ask my FIL if he wants to hold her. Within a minute she had peed on my FIL.

He is alarmed. I respond, “What? I don’t know how to change a diaper!”

This bought me about 4 months free of harassment.