“My Mother-in-Law Claims She Misses Her Grandkids, But Always Has an Excuse Not to Babysit”

My mother-in-law, Linda, is a master of contradictions. She loves to tell anyone within earshot how much she misses her grandkids, Emma and Jack. Whether it’s at family gatherings, church events, or even while chatting with the cashier at the grocery store, Linda never misses an opportunity to express her longing for more time with them.

“Those kids are my world,” she’ll say, her eyes misting over for dramatic effect. “I just wish I could see them more often.”

At first, I found it endearing. Who wouldn’t want a grandmother who adores her grandchildren? But as time went on, I started to notice a pattern. Whenever I actually needed her to watch the kids, Linda always had an excuse ready.

One Saturday morning, I had an important work meeting that I couldn’t miss. My husband, Tom, was out of town on a business trip, so I called Linda, hoping she could help out for just a few hours.

“Linda, could you watch Emma and Jack this afternoon? I have a meeting and really need someone to look after them,” I asked, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.

“Oh, honey, I would love to, but I have a hair appointment that I’ve been waiting weeks for,” she replied without missing a beat.

Another time, Tom and I were invited to a wedding. It was a rare chance for us to have a night out together, something we hadn’t done in months. Once again, I turned to Linda.

“Linda, there’s a wedding we need to attend next Saturday. Could you please watch the kids for the evening?” I asked hopefully.

“Oh dear, next Saturday? I’m afraid I have a book club meeting that night. You know how important those are to me,” she said apologetically.

The excuses kept coming. There was always something—doctor’s appointments, social engagements, even a sudden need to reorganize her closet. It became clear that while Linda loved the idea of being a doting grandmother in theory, the reality of babysitting didn’t quite fit into her schedule.

One day, after yet another failed attempt to secure her help, I decided to confront her.

“Linda, you always say how much you miss Emma and Jack, but whenever we need you to watch them, you have an excuse. What’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my frustration in check.

She looked taken aback for a moment before responding. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s not that I don’t want to help. It’s just that I’m so busy these days. You know how it is.”

I nodded, but inside I felt a pang of disappointment. It was clear that Linda’s words didn’t match her actions. She loved the idea of being seen as a loving grandmother but wasn’t willing to put in the effort when it mattered most.

As time went on, I stopped asking Linda for help. Instead, we hired a babysitter or relied on friends when we needed someone to watch the kids. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than dealing with the constant letdowns.

Linda continued to tell everyone how much she missed her grandkids, and I continued to smile politely whenever she did. But deep down, I knew the truth. Actions speak louder than words, and Linda’s actions told me everything I needed to know.