DH working away - how often to contact MIL?

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Hello
Lost my perspective with MIL for a variety of reasons so looking for feedback as to how often it is reasonable for me to contact her so that she can speak to the children. I think videocall each Sunday is fine. Thoughts requested please.

How often does she normally see or speak to them and how long is DH away?
Every week sounds plenty though.

Wait till she rings them!!

Phones work two ways.

Wait till she rings them and if she is ringing too often, limit it to once a week

I think she should be contacting you to arrange a convenient time to speak with them (and once a week is plenty IMO). I don't think you should be responsible for offering contact with them just because DH is working away.

DH normally speaks to her himself twice a week with videocall on Sundays with the children. He is away maybe 1 or 2 weekends a month - for the next few months.

It does not work like that in our house, I'm afraid (one of the things I am working on changing). It is so interesting to get other people's perspectives - having no family of my own (long story) all of our family contact as always been my husband's family and I have found and do find her quite smothering. She will not contact me to arrange videocall but will I am sure go to son to complain if she does not speak to the children whilst he is not here.

Then your DH should be standing up for you. Apart from anything else he shouldn't be dictating to you what happens when he's not there.

Mil has been widowed 3 yrs so I am told she is alone etc. She does continue to chose to live in an isolated house and therefore spends all of her time alone in the house, apart from when she has one of children visit and her 2 social evenings a week.
Videocall on sunday when DH was her consisted largely of her saying something to the children about how she gets no cuddles as there is no one to cuddle her (cannot remember how it came up) and telling DH about how favoured daughter has a very bad cold.

DH was here...