Pregnant Sister-in-Law Loses It After Getting an Air Mattress, Demands Couple’s Bedroom Instead
Thanksgiving should be about turkey, togetherness, and peace—not figuring out who gets what bed. But for this couple, hosting the holiday turned into an awkward family power struggle. Their pregnant sister-in-law not only refused the air mattress—they even suggested taking the couple’s master bedroom for the weekend.
Now the host is left wondering: Am I being selfish for wanting to sleep in my own bed during my limited time at home? Or is my SIL crossing boundaries with her comfort demands just because she’s expecting?
Families can fight over the most trivial things and make a mountain out of a molehill
The poster and her partner are hosting Thanksgiving in their new house, for her parents-in-law, pregnant sister-in-law, and her husband
Let’s get real: family gatherings bring out the best—and sometimes the worst—in everyone. And when hosting family during holidays, the stress multiplies. You’ve got cooking, cleaning, logistics, and now… bed assignments. Welcome to the emotional Olympics of holiday family drama.
So here’s the scene. You and your partner just bought a house. You’re finally settling in. You don’t even live together full-time right now, so this Thanksgiving visit is one of the few times you get to be home—really home. That alone is reason enough to want to sleep in your own bed.
Now here comes the pregnant sister-in-law. She’s due in February, so that puts her around 6 or 7 months along. That’s right in the thick of pregnancy discomfort, where sleeping gets tougher, backs hurt, and even rolling over in bed feels like a three-point turn. So yeah, she’s probably desperate for some comfort.
But here’s the question: does being pregnant entitle someone to the best sleeping spot in the house—even if it means bumping the host out of their own bedroom?
Let’s talk about pregnancy comfort priorities first. No doubt, it’s rough carrying a whole human inside you. Expecting moms do need extra care and consideration—especially during travel or holidays. Things like avoiding hard surfaces, getting quality sleep, and access to a good bathroom can make a huge difference.
BUT… here’s the catch: consideration goes both ways.
Yes, your SIL is pregnant. But she’s also a guest. And guests don’t typically get to make demands like “I’ll just take your room.” That crosses from reasonable accommodation to entitled behavior real quick.
There are tons of etiquette articles and hosting guides out there, and the general rule is simple: hosts sleep in their bed unless they offer otherwise. You can offer the nicest mattress, a cozy setup in another room, or even extra pillows and comfort items. But being asked—or expected—to leave your own room? That’s not normal guest behavior.
It’s also worth noting you’re only home for a week. You don’t live there full-time. So this visit isn’t just a casual hosting week for you—it’s your one chance to enjoy your home, your space, and your comfort.
And this isn’t the first time she’s brought it up either. Based on what you said, it sounds like your SIL has a bit of a pattern—making big demands and trying to guilt people into giving her what she wants, whether she’s pregnant or not. That matters. Because pregnancy doesn’t turn someone into a different person. It just amplifies what’s already there.
If she were a guest who usually handled things with grace and only asked for comfort because of physical needs, the story would feel different. But if she’s been pulling this kind of stuff even before pregnancy? Then yeah—your annoyance is totally fair.
Let’s also not forget: you already made a compromise. You’re giving her the nicer mattress, just not the actual bedroom. That’s called thoughtful hosting, not being inconsiderate. And by moving the mattress to the office and taking the air mattress yourselves, you’re actually doing more than what many hosts would.
You didn’t ignore her needs. You accommodated them without sacrificing your own peace. That’s a pretty mature move. And as for your parents-in-law? Putting them in the guest room is exactly what most people would do. They’re older, they likely need their own space, and it avoids even more conflict.
Now, let’s address the part a lot of people are afraid to say out loud: just because someone’s pregnant doesn’t mean they get to override everyone else’s boundaries. Yes, their needs matter. But so do yours. And in this case? You found a solid middle ground.
This situation also touches on a bigger issue—how expectations change during the holidays, especially in families where certain people are used to getting their way. It’s so common during big family gatherings for old habits to resurface. The oldest sibling tries to play parent, the golden child demands the best spot, and suddenly it feels less like a holiday and more like a power struggle.
But setting boundaries doesn’t make you the bad guy. It makes you a respectful adult who values balance over conflict. And in this case? You weren’t rude, dismissive, or inconsiderate. You just said, “Hey, this is what we can offer. Take it or leave it.”
Let’s not forget—you’re hosting. You’re feeding everyone. Opening your home. Taking time off. Probably cleaning before and after. You’ve already done a lot. Asking to sleep in your own bed while providing your guests with comfort and warmth? That’s not selfish. That’s sane.
Also, let’s talk about the actual air mattress. You said it’s a decent quality one. For a couple of nights, that’s perfectly fine—especially when paired with an upgraded mattress, as you ended up doing. No one’s asking her to sleep on the floor with a towel. She’ll survive. And come next year, she’ll probably be the one hosting, and you’ll be the one negotiating for a decent sleep spot.
Some netizens argued that it was the couple’s house, so they decided, but others claimed that a pregnant woman’s health should be considered
Pregnancy deserves respect—but so does being a host. You found a compromise that keeps everyone (mostly) comfortable without sacrificing your own peace. That’s not being rude. That’s just setting a fair boundary during the holiday chaos.
