MIL cancels agreed childcare last minute

[DnG]

Hi all, I'm looking for advice regarding childcare we've agreed with MIL and FIL. They've provided a few hours childcare for our baby per week and have agreed to so a full day when I'm back at work ft in a few months. MIL has now cancelled twice (for good reasons) on a short notice and it leaves us wondering about their reliability to provide consistent and reliable childcare when needed so we can both work. FIL recently had a stroke and were also worried this may impact their ability to be reliable in the future (he's doing much better now and said he's keen to watch baby).

Most recently MIL has cancelled a day in advance as saying she's tired and if we hadn't made plans she'd like to cancel. So far every time they've watched baby I've been working and had important meetings during the time they've been watching baby (rather than gallivanting around drinking coffees with mum friends) which makes me think they are not taking their responsibility and promises seriously or are not taking my job and my responsibilities seriously. My husband had to take a day off to look after baby as a consequence. Perhaps I'm overreacting but would it be wrong to consider an extra day of childcare to ensure reliability? Or am I overreacting?

Book childcare

They are unreliable

But bear in mind it works both ways

So they can't rock up on a Sunday afternoon, expecting to see the kids, whilst you run yourself ragged making brews/cake/sandwiches/ roast dinners

Personally I would book them into childcare eg nursery or childminder, there’s just too much uncertainty with them cancelling last minute

My mother in law baby sat for us once a week. This was fabulous and saved a lot of money but after a few months my MIL told us they booked a holiday in 2 weeks. My husband chuckled and said “well you know they like their holidays”. I was furious aa I can’t take time off with such little notice. My husband had to cover it and he quickly found it less amusing and had a respectful word about letting us know right when they planned to go away. Suppose if you can communicate your concerns this may work out but I’d start a conversation now about the practicalities. I know several friends who had no parental support with childcare and it’s really hard

Pay a proper childminder! Your FIL is in ill health and your MIL is obviously not a 100% either, (even age alone can make one very tired), so stop being cheap and actually pay for childcare. You won't have to worry about missing your important meetings then, will you?