If you were poorly...

[Noneofmybeeswax]

If your MIL had come to stay for a few days and you ended up poorly would she do any work to help with the family/chores?
Would she step up/muck in or would you expect DH to do all the work for both of you?

I’m sure she would although she only ever comes on day visits and equally DH would willingly step up anyway.

Mine would definitely muck in.

I have never met her so I don't know but I am a MIL and in that situation I would expect to muck in and help out.

My mil has come several times when I was proper poorly and dh couldn't get leave from work (he's a GP partner and time off costs £££ in locum). She's flown from N Ireland to Scotland more than once, and I keep very poor health due to a chronic illness. She's a star and if she comes I hand all responsibility to her and let her take care of me and the kids. Because she's great!

Depends on your relationship doesn’t it, and health of the MIL.

Mine would pitch in and help, a bit tottery on her feet though.

Some DILS would be very angry if MIL interfered in the kitchen.

My mil would have, yes.

Mine would in a heartbeat. But I could understand why any mil who reads Mumsnet might be extremely wary indeed.

Mine would definitely muck in, she would turn up when I was pregnant and DH was at work, pop the kettle on and I'd come back from the bathroom to find her unloading the dishwasher, or wiping down the kitchen surfaces and now I've got DS her first words when she comes round are usually 'right what can I help with' do you want me to look after DS while you have a shower, it I can do whatever you need me to while you have a rest and a cuddle. She recently rehemmed my living room curtains for me as they were just back smidge too short and helped me build a flat pack chest of drawers. DM was round yesterday and it was a similar story, I was loading the washing machine so she sterilised some bottles. I think especially for MIL she didn't get any help when DH was young just criticism and interference, so she's determined that she isn't like that. It's fab. However this is when DH is at work, he does his fair share and if I was poorly he would step up

I'm disabled and my MIL will just get on with unloading the dishwasher if she's round. She's lovely.

My mother in law and partners sister in law are staying for a week with us. I've been practically banned from the kitchen. They went out today and came back about three and one of her first questions was had I had lunch because as we all know men in their 30s will accidentally starve to death if they're not cooked for.

So yes, she does muck in and it's very appreciated if a little funny.

Mine did the school run for me (morning and afternoon) for best part of 6 weeks when I first developed arthritis. She is an angel.

My MIL came one day to keep an eye on DS when I was quite ill.

As I drifted in and out of sleep, I could hear her rattling pots and pans in the kitchen, and was so relieved that she was making dinner for DS and DH when he got home.

Late that night, after she had gone home, I crawled downstairs to find the place like a bomb site with all the family paperwork strewn across the floors, and five huge containers of apple charlotte filling the kitchen.

MIL had used an entire sack of apples and every scrap of bread, butter and eggs in the house to make the puddings, while DS had played at "offices".

I never asked her to help me again!

My MIL lives down the road and even though I don’t have kids (my partner has a son) she still brings me soup and takes our washing, she’s amazing. I do know that if I had kids she would be even more hands on.

I think mine would, though I think she’d be a little wary of stepping on toes - she and I are both the same, if someone’s at our house we’d be making them tea from our deathbeds.

Likely take over everything and slyly ask my OH if he has to put up with my 'being poorly' all the time and tell him he deserves better.

My MIL always cooks and cleans when she comes. She thinks my house is grubby and doesn't like my cooking. Knock yourself out love 🤷‍♀️

Thankfully mine is absolutely lovely and is would definitely help out with whatever was needed.

Mine has when I've not been well, will also offer when I am well but won't push it if I say everything is fine. She does have a tendency to put things where she thinks they should go and tidy away things she thinks shouldn't be out, but overall is very helpful.

Mine would muck in. I'm lucky though. My MIL is lovely and always helps out.

Helped also by the fact she lives in another country so not around all that often

My MIL wouldn't hesitate to help out if i was poorly but my own mum probably wouldn't. She'd still expect to be waited on

She does have a tendency to put things where she thinks they should go and tidy away things she thinks shouldn't be out, but overall is very helpful.

My DM does this. She's only trying to be helpful but it drives me insane. I enjoy my organised chaos!

Absolutely. Looking after people makes her happiest. The lovely lady was born to care (so we spoil her as much as we can)

Mine would muck in and there'd be no snooping.

My MIL is deceased but my MIL might help a bit, except she is quite high maintenance, so it might be less help than hindrance.

Oh god, my mother helping out, now that gives me a cold sweat. The woman’s ruthlessly efficient and very “seen it all before”. She’d go to put clean washing in my drawers and find my vibrator or something!