I trusted my motherinlaw with my kids for a weekwhen I collected them, my heart fell flat
When Eleanor, my motherinlaw, offered to look after Lucas and Milly for a whole week over the school holidays, I thought it would be a harmless bit of grandma time and a chance for James and me to catch a breather. I never imagined the gutpunch waiting for me when I went to collect the pair. It turned everything I thought I knew about her on its head.
Im Abby, 34, married to James for seven years. We have two children: Lucas, 8, and Milly, 6. Eleanor is in her late sixties. Our relationship has always been politefriendly smiles, surfacelevel chatter, the occasional dinner invitation.
But Eleanor has always been intense. She carries a forceful energy, as if shes constantly trying to prove shes the perfect granny. That intensity sometimes slides into control.
Shes just oldfashioned, James would say whenever I voiced a worry. She means well.
I tried to trust him. Over the years I brushed aside the small red flagsthe way she always called Lucas her lad, or how she scolded Milly for eating with her hands, snapping, Not under my roof, young lady!
Then, last month, Eleanor rang me with an unusually cheerful tone. Abby, how would you feel about me taking Lucas and Milly for a full week during their break? she asked. My stomach did a little flip.
A week? I repeated, startled.
Yes! Id love to have them to myselfjust spoil them rotten. You and James could use the time, couldnt you? A little holiday?
I glanced at James. He gave a thumbs up. Theyll have fun, he said.
So, I agreedthough I was hesitant.
Eleanor practically squealed. Oh, dont you worry about a thing, dear. Theyll be in safe hands.
Before I left, I slipped an envelope with £800 into her palm.
Eleanor, I said, this is just to cover food and anything they might need this week. No need to dip into your savings.
She looked surprised, then smiled warmly. Oh, Abby, how thoughtful! Dont worryIll put it to good use. The kids will have the best week ever.
The days dragged on. I thought Id enjoy the quiet, but instead I kept checking my phone, itching to call the twins more often than I should have.
When pickup day finally arrived, I could barely sit still. I was eager to see them, to hear about their week. Yet as I pulled up to Eleanors semidetached in a quiet suburb of Manchester, an odd unease settled over me.
The house looked ordinary, but something was off. Perhaps it was the way Eleanor opened the door.
Abby! Youre here! she chirped, but her eyes didnt match the smile.
Hi, Eleanor! How were they? I asked, stepping inside.
Oh, wonderful, she replied, though her voice wavered a shade. She seemed overly cheerful, almost rehearsed.
I looked around. Normally Id hear toys clatter, children laughing, running about. Instead, the house was dead quiet. Completely silent.
Where are the kids? I asked, scanning the living room. In any other moment, Lucas and Milly would be barreling toward me, arms outstretched.
Eleanor kept smiling, hands clasped tightly. Oh, theyre inside, she said breezily. Theyve been busy todaylots of work.
Work? What sort of work? I pressed.
She laughed nervously, waving me off. Just little things. Helping out their granny. You know how kids arealways eager to lend a hand!
But her tone was wrong. Too sweet. Too dismissive. My gut was screaming.
Where exactly are they, Eleanor? I asked, voice firm.
Her eyes flicked down the hallway, then back at me. In the back garden, she finally said. Theyve been helping me with the garden. Such little troopers!
I didnt waste another second.
Following faint voices to the sliding door, I stepped outside. The cool air hit my face, but the dread only grew.
Lucas? Milly? I called.
Then I saw them, and my heart sank.
They stood there, faces smudged with dirt, eyes tired yet lighting up when they spotted me. Lucass clothes were worn, stained, and not the ones Id packed. Millys shirt was ripped at the shoulder. None of it matched what Id sent.
Mum! Lucas shouted, flinging himself into my arms. Milly followed, trembling, pressing her face into my side.
What on earth is happening? I demanded, turning to Eleanor, anger shaking my tone. Why are they out here like this? They were supposed to be having funnot working!
Lucas looked up, voice unsteady. Grandma said we had to help. She told us if we worked hard, wed go to the park but we never went, Mum.
Milly added softly, She made us dig all day, Mum. I wanted to stop, but she said we had to finish first.
Eleanor stood a short distance away, arms crossed defensively.
Eleanor! I shouted, voice cracking. You promised to spoil them, not turn them into labourers! What is this?
Eleanor flushed, shifting. Oh, dont exaggerate, Abby, she said dismissively. They were eager to help. And why not? A bit of hard work never hurt anyone. Theyve learned valuable lessons about responsibility and discipline.
Responsibility? Discipline? My voice trembled with fury. Theyre children, Eleanor! They should be playing, not breaking their backs in your garden! How could you think this was okay?
She rolled her eyes. They need to learn life isnt all fun and games. Youre raising them soft, Abby. I was just trying to help!
I took a deep breath, trying to stay composed in front of the kids.
Eleanor, where is the £800 I gave you for food and activities? I asked carefully.
Her gaze dropped. Oh, I didnt need it for groceries, she said casually. The kids didnt need that much food. I thought I thought I could use the money for other things.
My stomach dropped. Other things? What does that mean?
Her face reddened. I I didnt use the money for the kids. Ive been struggling with bills. I thought if they could help with the house and garden, I could save a bit.
For a moment I was speechless. The betrayal hit hard.
So you used my children as free labour? I finally said, voice shaking.
She flinched but didnt deny it. It wasnt like that, Abby. I thought it would be good for themteach them hard work.
Hard work? I repeated sharply. I gave you that money so they could have funmake memories. Not this. I gestured toward the garden, where Lucas and Milly now sat on the back steps, pale and drained.
In that instant everything clicked: Eleanors need for control, her belief she knew best, and now using my kids to solve her financial woes under the guise of helping.
I knelt beside them and wrapped my arms around both. Im so sorry, loves, I whispered. This isnt what I wanted for you.
I turned to Eleanor, who stared at the ground, shame spreading across her face.
Eleanor, I said firmly, were leaving. My kids deserve to be kidsnot workers in your garden.
Her lips trembled. I I thought I was doing the right thing.
No, you werent, I replied quietly. You werent.
Without another word, I scooped up Milly, took Lucass hand, and went inside to gather their things. It was over.
When we stepped outside, the crisp evening air felt almost cleansing after the stifling tension inside. Lucas clutched my hand tightly. Milly rested her head on my shoulder. Their silence was heavy with exhaustion and relief.
Please, Abby, Eleanor called from the doorway, voice breaking. Dont be angry. Theyve learned so much. It was just a mistake.
I stopped and turned. She looked desperate, guilty. I considered responding, but no words could undo what shed done.
No, Eleanor, I said gently but firmly. This wasnt a mistake. It was a choice. A choice you made without thinking about what they needed. Theyre children, not tools to fix your problems or props to prove a point.
She opened her mouth, but I shook my head. I trusted you. You broke that trustnot just with me, but with them. I wont let this happen again.
Her face crumpled, but I couldnt offer comfortnot now. My kids came first.
As we walked to the car, Lucas finally spoke.
Mom?
Yeah, love? I answered.
Are we ever coming back here?
I squeezed his hand. No, sweetheart. Not until Grandma learns how to treat you the way you deserve.
Milly stirred in my arms and whispered, Good.
I buckled them in, got into the drivers seat, and pulled awayleaving behind the garden, the house, and a piece of trust I knew would never be mended.
