Something bad happened to one of our dc a couple of weeks ago. Neither of us wanted to tell our parents immediately, because all of them would be very distressed and react badly. Mine would at least be vocal about it and release the emotional pressure, but the ILs would likely turn it in upon themselves and get ill over it.
After a couple of days I called my parents and told them. Dh has not told his parents. I've asked him to, as I chat with MIL when she calls and I don't want to lie. Nor do I want to be the one to break the news without his say-so. They are his parents, he knows them better than I, he has the parents-child relationship.
On Monday MIL called on our landline and left a message. Dh ignored the flashing light and did not listen to it, even though he knows she is virtually the only 'real' person who uses that number. Yesterday I told him to listen to it. He did, but still didn't call his mother.
Today MIL called. Dh was out. I felt like a total cow telling her we were fine, X and Y have colds, plans for half-term etc, while all the while not mentioning the specific dc.
He normally calls his parents every week. MIL and FIL worried something was wrong. Yes, something was wrong!