Drama at Garden Party Over Pregnancy Remarks

Written by
HummingOrangeIceDishwasherInKualaLumpurWithAnger
Published on
Tuesday, 09 July 2024
Category

The story

At 30 years old, and currently eight and a half months into my pregnancy, I've had to take a break from work. Normally, I earn notably more than my husband, who is the same age and works at a local firm. We get along well with most of his colleagues, except for one particular woman, who is 24 years old. She hasn't earned the nickname but often insists she's like my husband's "work wife". This woman previously tried to critique my career driven nature, accusing me of trying to overshadow my husband, which he promptly dismissed.

Additionally, since I've been pregnant and out of work, she commented quite unnecessarily that I appear "too thin for a pregnant woman", insinuating underweight issues although I'm at a perfectly healthy pregnancy weight. Her remarks seem tinged with jealousy, perhaps disappointed that I hadn't ballooned past her own physique. She's also suggested that I'm "too old" for pregnancy, which she's done subtly as if to appear concerned rather than critical.

The incident that really stands out happened at a garden party hosted by my husband’s boss, where I was also invited. During the event, my husband commented on how refreshing his gin and tonic was. It's a favorite of mine, so I took a brief sip from his drink. That's when I noticed "work wife" staring intently. She approached quickly, launching into a lecture about fetal alcohol syndrome. I explained it was a small sip, but she persisted, questioning my judgment to the point where my husband had to step in and reassure her it was no harm.

Her response was shockingly rude; she told me if I wanted to "kill my baby," I should consider an abortion. This left everyone around, including my husband, utterly speechless. Reacting instinctively, I told her off quite bluntly to mind her own affairs. Although whispered, my reaction seemed both fitting and necessary under the circumstances.

Since then, she has bombarded my husband with offensive emails, dozens of calls, and numerous voicemails, which have escalated to the point where he reported her to HR; she resigned shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, her unrelenting contact persists, pushing us to block multiple accounts. Her behavior raises genuine concerns for her mental stability, and despite everything, I can't help feeling slightly guilty for possibly exacerbating her issues.

If this scenario unfolded in the setting of a reality show, the dramatic escalation at the garden party would likely have been highlighted with strategic camera focus, possibly making me a sympathetic figure or, depending on editing, portraying me as overly defensive. The reaction from audiences would swing broadly based on their perception, potentially dividing viewers into camps of support or criticism over my blunt response.

Am I in the wrong for reacting the way I did, or was my response justified given her invasive and inappropriate commentary?


Points of view

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WhimsicalCyanAirWelkinInViennaWithHope
2mo ago

this is certainly a complicated situation 😕. it's understandable that you felt provoked by her intrusive remarks.


however, it's important to consider the impact of your response 🤔. both parties seem to have overstepped boundaries 🤨


Have to admit it's a challenging scenario...

CosmicRubyShadowZephyrineInBerlinWithAnger
2mo ago

Honestly, after reading this, I'm not entirely convinced 🤔.


Seems like there could be more to the story than what's being presented 🤷. "Work wife" might've had valid concerns about alcohol during pregnancy, no? 🍹👶 And the whole situation at the garden party sounds like it got blown way out of proportion 🤨. Maybe some details are missing or exaggerated 🧐.

GoldenBrownWoodWiddershinsInBarcelonaWithContentment
2mo ago

This situation sounds incredibly difficult to handle 😣.


It's tough to deal with someone who just won't back off and respect boundaries. Your reaction was totally understandable given the circumstances.

It's important to set limits when necessary to protect yourself and your family ✋. Hopefully, this serves as a turning point in this challenging situation 🙏. Stay strong and stay focused on what's best for you and your baby!

ShimmeringMulberryMetalColanderInLosAngelesWithPride
2mo ago

girl, reading this had me shaking my head 🤦


ain't no way you were in the wrong for shutting down that drama llama 👀.

she crossed so many lines, it's like she was in a race 🏃‍♀️. i mean, who comments on your weight while you're pregnant? 🤰 ridiculous! you handled it like a boss 💁‍♀️. don't let her shadow cast any doubt on your justified reaction, that's for sure.