Lady Tells Mother-In-Law: “If You Won’t Help During Omugwo, Stay Home

According to Ireporter Online, a woman has triggered widespread online discussions after narrating her friend’s alleged unpleasant experience with a mother-in-law during the traditional postpartum care period known as omugwo.

She explained that her friend, who had just welcomed her first child, was left with minimal family support due to distance and other constraints, leaving the mother-in-law as the only available helper. However, instead of assisting, the mother-in-law was accused of refusing to take part in basic household duties throughout her stay.

In the account shared on social media, it was alleged that the mother-in-law arrived with two grandchildren and did not engage in cooking or laundry, while the new mother handled all domestic responsibilities alone. She further claimed that even after the woman’s husband intervened, there was no change in behaviour, as the situation reportedly continued for about a week.

The story also highlighted that tensions escalated within the family, especially after the woman’s second childbirth. It was alleged that when the mother-in-law attempted to return for another omugwo visit, she was declined, leading to further family disagreements and accusations that the new mother had influenced her husband against his mother.

The development has reignited conversations around the expectations and responsibilities attached to omugwo, a practice that continues to generate debate in modern Nigerian family settings.