My mother-in-law kept falling asleep while taking care of her grandchild. I intended to chase her away, but when I saw the piece of paper in her pocket, I regretted…

After getting married, my husband and I rented our own home, avoiding the need to live with my mother-in-law. My in-laws lived in the countryside, where life was outdated—using well water and cooking with firewood—which I found inconvenient. My mother-in-law often said:

“People in the countryside may be poor, but we’re genuine and kind-hearted. When you visit, make an effort to greet the neighbors.”

She insisted I enthusiastically greet everyone, even people I rarely met. It exhausted me to the point where I told my husband:
“Unless it’s something important, I’d rather not visit your hometown—walking around greeting everyone is so tiring.”

I also wasn’t thrilled when my mother-in-law visited us. Whenever she came, she’d lecture me about being a better wife and mother. For example, if she saw me sleeping in and skipping breakfast preparation for my husband, she’d scold me:
“You two are still struggling financially. You need to save money. Even a simple breakfast outside costs a lot—money that could buy enough groceries for the family and be healthier too.”

Unexpected Help Postpartum

When I gave birth to my first child, I had initially planned for my mom to help during postpartum recovery. But on the day I was admitted to the hospital, my mom fell ill. Left with no other option, I asked my husband to call his mother for help.

To her credit, my mother-in-law was diligent. She cooked, cleaned, and took care of the baby tirelessly. However, I noticed that she often nodded off while holding the baby. Whether day or night, as soon as she sat down, she’d start dozing off. There were times the baby wet through the diaper, squirmed, or even spit up milk, and she wouldn’t notice.

Frustrated, I told her:
“If you’re too tired, go to bed and rest. I can take care of the baby.”

But she brushed it off with a smile:
“No, I’m not tired. It’s just old age—I get sleepy easily. But lying down doesn’t help much either.”

Her response didn’t reassure me. I started thinking about asking her to return home and hiring a nanny instead. I felt that her frequent drowsiness wasn’t suitable for long-term childcare.

A Shocking Revelation

One day, while my mother-in-law went to the market, I seized the opportunity to clean the house. I noticed a bag she had left on the bed. Out of curiosity, I opened it and found her medical records. To my shock, I discovered she was suffering from a sleep disorder common in the elderly.

The doctor had prescribed medication and advised her to avoid staying up late. Yet, since the day she arrived, she’d been waking up multiple times at night to check on me and the baby. It was no wonder she was always nodding off during the day. Her exhaustion was the result of her selfless effort to ensure I could rest well postpartum.

Realizing the truth, I felt a wave of guilt. How could I have been so quick to judge her? I had complained and misunderstood her, not recognizing her silent sacrifices.

A Change of Heart

From that moment on, I made an effort to appreciate my mother-in-law more. My husband and I began paying closer attention to her health, ensuring she had enough rest and support.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson about empathy and understanding. Sometimes, people’s actions have reasons we might not immediately see. It’s essential to look deeper before forming judgments—especially when it comes to family.