My in-law’s place: Am I OCD? Or is the environment really bad?

I’m a FTM, and my baby is 2.5 months old. I’m currently staying at my in-laws’, and I’ve had a hard time adjusting to the environment here. I also feel bad for my baby ☹️ Firstly, air pollution — the house is frequently exposed to 2nd hand and 3rd hand smoke. My FIL, bro-in-law and husband are heavy smokers. It’s a corridor unit and they smoke at the corridor, sometimes in the toilet. They also burn incense (like 10+ joss sticks each time) for prayers every morning and evening. As a non-smoker, I cannot stand the smell and worry for the health of my baby. Secondly, noise pollution — my FIL is a retiree and hurls profanities frequently (always talks to himself and curses out loud in Cantonese). He loves to watch TV loudly every night from 11pm to 4am, and sometimes it’s difficult to soothe baby to sleep at night. Lastly, hygiene — the family doesn’t have a habit of washing hands with soap or using hand sanitizer before touching/carrying my baby. They didn’t have any hand soap at their sinks until I moved in and bought for everyone to use, but I wonder if they use. I always complain to my husband, but he thinks I’m a clean freak and being OCD since he grew up in this environment. Is it just me?

6 Replies
 profile icon
Write a reply

Don't think this is OCD, just basic care and proper hygiene. communication is key here, try talking gently and explain to ur husband n his family and seek their cooperation . . they might not even aware their actions are causing harm to baby and just cont to do what they doing. .