"Back in Our Day, Seaweed Soup Was Enough"—A Mother-in-Law Criticizes Her Daughter-in-Law for Booking a Postpartum Care Center [What Do You Think?]

[Financial News] A woman who was preparing to use a postpartum care center after giving birth said she had been distressed by her mother-in-law's criticism. She said she paid 3 million won to book the center but was told she was being "pampered."

A post titled "Postpartum recovery care is not a luxury, but recovery" was recently uploaded to an online community.
The writer, identified only as Ms. A, planned to recover at a postpartum care center for two weeks after giving birth to her first child at age 40. She said she had endured a difficult pregnancy marked by morning sickness and swelling, and chose the center despite considering 3 million won a substantial expense.
Her mother-in-law reportedly disapproved of her decision. She criticized her, saying, "Back in our day, it was enough for our own mothers to make us seaweed soup. Why do young people these days need to be pampered so much?" When Ms. A applied for a government-supported postpartum helper, her mother-in-law also asked, "Why would you leave a newborn in someone else's care?"
However, the mother-in-law reportedly did not help care for the baby, citing back pain. The husband said both his mother and Ms. A had valid points, but he did not clearly defend Ms. A's position in front of his mother.
Ms. A said the couple had paid the cost themselves. "We paid for the care center with money we had saved over several years, without any help from my in-laws, so I don't understand why we have to feel this pressured," she said. "Many people are having children later in life these days. I hope people like me can recover comfortably without having to hear comments like this. Postpartum recovery care is not a luxury; it is recovery."
Online users who read the post criticized the mother-in-law and the husband. Some commented, "The mother-in-law has no idea how the world works," and, "The husband doesn't know how to mediate between them."


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter