I’m looking for some outside opinions because this situation has gotten really tense.
My son and his wife are currently staying with me due to an emergency. About a week ago, a fire hydrant in their area broke and caused flooding to several homes, including theirs. Because of the damage, their floors need to be replaced and it’s not safe for them to live there while the repairs are happening.
So, I offered for them to stay with me temporarily.
For context, I live in a pretty small house. I downsized a few years ago, so it’s just a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom place. They’ve been staying in the guest room, and they even set up a small nursery in there since my daughter-in-law is due to give birth at the beginning of next month.
The issue is—their home won’t be ready in time before the baby arrives.
Up until recently, I assumed she was planning to give birth in a hospital. That’s what I thought the plan was this whole time.
But this weekend, I found out that’s not the case.
She’s planning a water home birth with a midwife.
Specifically, she wants to use one of those inflatable birthing pools… inside my house.
Given the size of my home, there are only two places it would realistically fit: either in my living room, or in my bedroom (which would mean I’d have to move all my furniture out).
I took some time to think about it, but ultimately, I told her I’m not comfortable with that happening in my home.
I didn’t say it to be mean—I just genuinely don’t feel okay with having a full birth setup in my living space, especially in such a small house with only one bathroom.
She got really upset.
We ended up arguing, and she said I was ruining her birth plan. My son is now also upset and thinks I should apologize and let her go through with it here.
But I still don’t feel comfortable with it.
I understand that this is an important moment for her, and I do feel bad that their situation isn’t ideal right now. But at the same time, this is my home, and this feels like a big ask—especially given the space limitations.
Now things are tense in the house, and I feel stuck between wanting to support them and not wanting to agree to something I’m not okay with.
AITA for refusing?