- Carol hates the experience of being pregnant in Gopher Prairie, because all the women seem to treat the pregnancy as their business. They all make comments about how Carol will have to give up her weird ideas in order to be a good mom.
- When the baby is first born, Carol doesn't like him at all, but after a while, she becomes completely devoted to him.
- After the baby is born, Will's Uncle Whittier and Aunt Bessie move to Gopher Prairie to be closer to them. These people are about as meddling as any relatives could possibly be, and they constantly criticize Carol's behavior and ideas.
- Carol tries to act rudely to keep the in-laws away, but she can't do a good enough job.