Mother-in-law's 'insane' paternity gift causes family rift

Paternity leave has thankfully become not only accepted, but expected in today's society. A special time for both parents to enjoy the new baby 'bubble' together and to adjust to live with their newest family member.

But one soon-to-be grandmother doesn't seem to understand what the time is for.

Posting on Reddit, a pregnant woman explains that in preparation for the arrival of their baby, her boyfriend has taken three weeks off work for paternity leave. The problem came when the poster's mother-in-law came over for dinner and presented both the parents-to-be with their own gift. 

READ MORE: Perth mum's heartbreak after IVF baby dies four days after birth

The mum-to-be was gifted a jade stone bracelet and a matching newborn one for the baby which is a cultural gift for new families. However, in a bizarre turn of events, the poster's mother-in-law surprised her son with a "paternity vacation" to Italy during the last two weeks of his paternity leave period. 

The anonymous poster says that she reminded her mother-in-law that paternity leave was to help with the baby - not to go on a holiday. The mother-in-law said that her own husband hadn't even stayed with her in the hospital when her son was born.

READ MORE: Heartwarming moment paralysed dog shows baby how to crawl

Despite this, the anonymous poster told both her boyfriend and his mother that she was not OK with the trip and that she should have been consulted prior to buying such an extravagant gift.

In response, the mother-in-law left in tears saying the mum-to-be was ungrateful and "ruining her son's experience."

The Redditor ended the post by saying that her boyfriend says he should go on the trip because his mother had paid for it. Redditors did not feel the same way.

"What a presumptuous gift, and the fact that your boyfriend didn't immediately turn it down is unsettling," said one.

READ MORE: Mum under fire for controversial act with baby

Another user warned the original poster, "I would be seriously pissed if my bf used his PATERNITY leave to go to Italy. You better think long and hard before even considering building a life with him. And his mummy."