I Couldn’t Figure Out Where All the Food My Wife Cooked Was Going—Then My Mother-in-Law Finally Told Us the Truth At first, I was glad my mother-in-law was staying with us, as she was a big help. Our son is often ill, so we decided not to send him to nursery, and my wife asked her mum to look after our grandson. Renata agreed, but only if she could come to ours each day and return home every evening to relax in her own house. Sometimes we have important plans in the evenings or we want to go out, so we ask a neighbour to help, and my mother-in-law heads home for rest. We don’t want to wear her out. At first, everything was fine. We’d hurry home to find our son well-fed and cared for. But then Renata began leaving before we returned. My wife always cooks enough for a day or two, and each month we give my mother-in-law an envelope of money. We appreciate how she helps and thank her in this way. But I started to notice all the food my wife made would mysteriously disappear. Renata eats little, and our son even less… I decided to ask my mother-in-law. She said my father-in-law comes by in the afternoons and she gives him food since he doesn’t like cooking for himself in the evenings. So, my father-in-law has been eating at ours, too. Honestly, I don’t know what to say. My mother-in-law comes home each night—surely it’s not that difficult to cook something herself? My father-in-law could visit for dinner once a week, but every day? Now we’re often left with little food for our own evening meals. My wife just stays quiet about it. I’ve figured it might even be cheaper to hire a nanny instead. I’m not happy with my mother-in-law’s and father-in-law’s behaviour. My wife says not to make a fuss. But I have another question—don’t they realise we need our own money, too? We’re paying for childcare every month, yet they’re also eating at our expense. Has anyone else ever been through something like this?

I couldnt figure out where all the food my wife prepared kept vanishing to. Then my mother-in-law revealed the truth.

Initially, I was grateful to have my mother-in-law staying with us because she was a tremendous help. Our son is often unwell, so we decided not to send him to nursery just yet. My wife asked her mum if she could look after her grandson during the weekdays.

Margaret agreed, but only on the condition that she could come to ours each day and then return to her own house in the evening. She wanted to be able to unwind and relax in her own home.

Sometimes, my wife and I need to deal with things in the evening, or perhaps wish to go out for a meal or see friends, so we ask a neighbour to step in and Margaret goes home to rest. We never want to wear her out.

In the beginning, this arrangement worked perfectly. Wed rush back from work to find our son fed and clean. Then, Margaret began leaving before we arrived homeshed already gone by the time we got back.

My wife always cooks enough meals to last a day or two. Each month, we give my mother-in-law a little envelope with some money as a way of thanking her for giving up her time. We wanted to show our appreciation.

But then I began to notice that no matter how much food my wife cooked, it would all disappear. Margaret hardly touches anything, and our son eats even less It puzzled me. I decided to ask Margaret about it. She explained that my father-in-law, John, drops by in the afternoons and she gives him some food to take away because she hasnt the energy to cook for him in the evenings after looking after our son. So, John has his meals at our place.

Honestly, Im lost for words. Margaret heads back home every evening. Is it really so hard to make a simple supper? I dont mind if John comes around once a week for dinner, but every single day seems a bit much.

The thing is, theres hardly anything left for my wife and me by the time we get home in the evenings. My wife doesnt complain, but I worked out that itd actually cost us less if we hired a childminder.

I cant help but feel disappointed with both Margaret and John over all this. My wife keeps telling me to leave it alone. But Ive got to askdont they realise that were not made of money? We already pay Margaret each month for looking after our son, and now were also feeding both her and John out of our own pocket. Has anyone else ever found themselves in a situation like this?