I 28F and my husband 30M are having our first baby this year. I am over the moon and have dreamt of being a mum for a long time. My partner is introverted and doesn’t really like social media at all, I’m extroverted and don’t mind social media. I used to post heaps to private socials but in the past few years I haven’t posted as much besides the occasional photo dump or meme. My partner hates it when I post him and I’ve avoided posting him as much as I can without making it seem like he doesn’t exist in my life. For context we live far from family and have moved several times because of his career as doctor – social media is one way I keep in touch with people I’m close to. With our baby on the way my mother who is very superstitious expressed warnings about having a baby shower and my husband agreed with her saying he doesn’t really believe in the concept. I’m very disappointed because I like planning and decorating for events and was looking forward to hosting one. They begrudgingly are going along with the idea of a baby shower but their disapproval has somewhat sucked the joy out of it for me. Similarly situation with a pregnancy photoshoot – my husband again says he doesn’t think it’s necessary and prefers having pictures when/if the baby is born. The same trajectory of commentary has come from my mother and husband when I bought a single baby onesie and some baby books for the baby (they keep saying it’s too early and bad things can happen). Recently I put a private reel up on my close friends (10 people are on there) announcing I’m expecting and my husband started asking me why I posted anything. I’m considering having a solo pregnancy shoot without my husband – will I become the asshole if I do this? I just want to preserve some memories of this experience.
NTA. This is your pregnancy and your memories. you don’t need anyone’s approval to celebrate or capture it. A solo photoshoot sounds perfect if your husband isn’t into it. Do what makes you happy; these moments are fleeting and for you, not for anyone else.
I mean, usually someone else would host a baby shower and not the mother to be. It’s not bad or wrong to want these things, but your partner clearly has a view on social media so if you do do them, I would suggest not posting them. You also need to get on the same page around baby photos on social media once baby arrives. NAH
Edit to add – if anyone is the AH, it’s your mother. Her opinions are irrelevant. It’s not her baby