Do you think DP's mum might begrudge the fact that he'll never have children?

[Lambswools]

Because he's with me?

She's lovely, always very pleasant to me and to DP's brother's wife. His brother doesn't have children either, although his wife has a teenage daughter, who "MIL" is very kind to, but has only known as a teenager. ("MIL" for ease, although I know she's not!). I.e. she never got to be granny to a young child.

I have grown up children and am too old to have any more, even if I wanted to. DP is a few years younger (mid 40s) and could still have had DC, if you accept that men often do with a woman a few years younger.

He says he always thought he would, in the natural order of things, but it's not something that happened for him, and it's not something that bothers him now.

MIL is a very mumsy young older lady, with bags of energy and loves fussing over people. She'd have made a great gran.

Obviously there's nothing to be done about it, but I do wonder if she wishes things were different.

I have a friend whose mum I am close to - she is in this position. My friend never wanted children, her brother did but married an older woman who already had them and didn't want more.

Honestly, yes, my friend's mum is a bit sad at how things have worked out. I think most people do want grandchildren. But it doesn't dominate her life or anything, she does seek out other children to be close to (she is an honorary grandmother to mine).

I'm an older woman (late sixties) and don't have grandchildren. To be honest it's not something I ever craved. I have a full life and whilst I enjoyed bringing up my own son, I really don't want to spend my old age doting on another child. But I'm probably in the minority. There was a thread on Gransnet a while ago entitled "who do you love more - your children or your grandchildren". The overwhelming response from posters was that they would always love their own children more. So bascially your "MIL" will first and foremost be pleased that her son is happy and settled in a relationship.

She will find a child to love if she needs that... neighbourhood grannys are a bonus :)

I have four adult children... two will definitely not have kids, one would dearly like a child but it hasn't happened, and one does have children. I love them dearly and do child care for them, and I like children generally (still work part time as a TA) BUT, it would not have bothered me or made me feel sad if they hadn't arrived... I HAD my children, my time being Mum. I still like being Mum. and just want my children to be happy!

I imagine she’s a bit disappointed but mostly just wants her son to be happy.