Mama’s Boy
Are you thinking of breaking up with him because he’s momma’s boy?
While it is too late to cut off those apron strings, there surely are ways of dealing with the mama’s pets. We spoke to some couples and took note of their advices.
So, read on to know about best ways of dealing with your ‘mama’s boy’ hubby.
#1. Bond with his mother
It can be done! Throw away your ego and the comparisons with your own mother. Genuinely try and get to know her.
Find a common area of interest and spend time doing that together, like taking her for a movie or lunch. Remember and accept that there will be some differences.
But then, don’t you fight with your mom too’ Take your time to establish a bond and let her too.
#2. Communicate with your partner
Talk to him to let him know how you feel when he compares you with his mother or when he prioritises his mother way too much.
But that will have to be done diplomatically! Laughs Anasuya B. (named changed), ‘Your husband will never agree if you tell him that he is a mama’s boy! You need to tactfully convey your issues and ensure that he maintains a balance between the two women (you and his mother) in his life.’
Harleen Kaur, married for 3 years now, explains further, ‘Whenever I used to cook something, he would always comment saying his mother cooked better.
After being patient for a while, I had a chat with him and said she surely is the best but it’s only after several years of experience she has become so good. I probably would get there too! He saw the point and stopped comparing.’
#3. Patience
You will need lots of it! 24-year-old Kiran figured his fianc’ was a mama’s boy, but not before the cupid had done his work.
She was already too much in love with him to see that as a hurdle. ‘He would cancel our plans because his mother needed him for something or the other.
I used to get irritated initially but kept the patience to make him realise the need to create a balance,’ she says.
#4. Don’t ask him to resolve the conflicts
Difference of opinion is inevitable in any kind of relationship. But, there are always ways to resolve the conflicts and maintain peace at home.
Do not complain about your mother-in-law to your husband every time you have an argument with her. This will create a balance in the equation.
Admits a self-confessed ‘mama’s boy’, Rajan, who says, ‘Okay, I’m quite close to my mom and I know she is extremely possessive about me. But since I am aware of it, I spoke at length to my partner already about it.
I advised her to handle the usual conflicts on her own and involve me only when she finds it difficult to manage since I know my opinion might be biased towards my mother.’
The bright side of being a mama’s boy
Well, there is always one! Being a mama’s boy is not all that bad, and here is how it is proven! According to a study published in Child Development Journal involving almost 6,000 children, ‘Baby boys who do not form strong attachments to their mothers grow up to be more aggressive and destructive children.’
According to author Kate Stone Lombardi, who wrote The Mama’s Boy Myth, ‘It is a myth that mama’s boys are sissy and dependent. In fact, they are sensitive,’ she says.
‘Nurturing mothers can help their sons develop emotional intelligence, encouraging them to talk about their feelings and recognize those of others,’ she wrote in one of her guest columns.
Mama’s boys are usually too dependent on their mothers for everything from food to laundry and any sort of decision making. The wife, therefore, feels left out. Why not encourage your mother-in-law to take some rest and ask your husband to help you in household work’ Or share the responsibilities equally to create a balance at home’