Retire in secret??!

[Bomballerina]

In cloak and dagger fashion, MIL has worked her notice, had her last day, and celebrated with her workplace. Two days after all of this we find out she has officially retired. We don’t ask her for childcare so there’s no pressure on her from us in that respect, and there’s been no discussion about retirement other than family trying to make pleasant conversation that she could and should. Any idea why the big secret? Or have others got experience of this too?! (I find it quite funny but DH is upset and angry at not knowing.) And how does one celebrate a secret retirement?! 😝

I work with people who don't tell their adult children that they are having time off work because they think they'll be roped into babysitting (although why they don't say no is beyond me). I know you don't ask her for childcare now when she's working but perhaps she's scared you will once she's not working

I'm only guessing but I expect it's quite hard to say no to requests for babysitting without being made to feel guilty, particularly if the DC are finding childcare hard to arrange.

My mil only told people she saw in person, or who asked her about her life with genuine interest.

Consequently she didn't tell her dd, who rarely visited (hadn't visited in the six months since the decision was made) and only ever rang her to complain about her own life.

Might it be a similar situation, or does your dh have a close relationship with her?

My mother in law is like this. Everything is a secret. I have no idea why. Retirement is the type of thing you just chat about, no big deal.

Maybe because we don't want everyone we know discussing our business.