My 4-Year-Old Son Was Distressed Every Time My MIL Babysat – When I Discovered the Reason, I Got Revenge

Working as a nurse, Zoe often relied on her mother-in-law, Denise, to babysit Leo, her son. But when the little boy becomes visibly shaken by his grandmother’s presence, Zoe has to question the old woman’s actions, only to discover that Denise has a hidden agenda.

I had always thought that my mother-in-law, Denise, was a little overbearing, but I chalked it up to her just being protective of my son, her only grandson, Leo.

She was one of those women who carried herself with a certain authority that made you straighten your back and rethink your words. This had become more pronounced when Jeremy, her husband, passed away a few years ago, allowing Denise to reclaim her role as head librarian of the local library.

“Why shouldn’t I?” she asked Andrew, my husband, one day. “I have time now, so there’s no need to just have my part-time role there. And I can have my book club meetings at the library, too.”

“Okay, Mom,” Andrew said. “You do whatever you want.”

She wasn’t mean, exactly, but Denise had a way of making you feel small without even trying. But still, she lived two roads away and was always willing to babysit Leo whenever I had a shift at the hospital, and considering Andrew’s unpredictable hours at the law firm, Denise usually had to step in often.

“It’s what grandmothers are for, right, Zoe?” she would say whenever I asked her to come over.

And despite how her moods could shift without a moment’s notice, she was reliable and didn’t complain about it once.

But lately, Leo had been acting strange whenever Denise came over. At first, it was small things. He would cling to my leg a little longer than usual when I tried to leave or hide behind the couch when he heard her car pull up in the driveway.

I thought that my son was just going through a phase, or maybe even a bit of separation anxiety. I had seen it all the time with the kids in my ward, especially when they woke up and their parents weren’t in sight.

But then, last week, right before I was about to leave for a night shift, he started crying.

“I don’t want Grandma to stay with me!” he blurted.

Big, fat tears rolled down his cheeks, and he clutched my scrub with a grip that seemed stronger than a grown man’s.

I knelt beside him, brushing a lock of his blonde hair from his forehead.

“But why, sweetheart?” I asked gently. “Grandma loves you. And she always brings you treats. Remember the brownies and ice cream from last week?”

My son’s eyes darted to the doorway as if expecting her to walk in at any moment.

“Because… Grandma acts strange,” he said, his eyes wide.

I was about to press him further because I needed to know what was going on. But moments later, Denise’s familiar, clipped footsteps echoed down the hallway. Leo bolted off to his room.

“What’s going on?” Denise asked as she set her purse down on the hallway table. “Where’s my grandbaby?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “He ran to his room to play with his toys. Andrew is away for the next two days. He’s meeting with a client and running through a case.”

Denise nodded.

I left for work, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled in my stomach. I spent the entire night running between patients and thinking about Leo’s words.

“Grandma acts strange.”

What did that even mean to a four-year-old?

When I got home the next morning, I found my son sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the TV. His favorite cartoons were playing, but he wasn’t watching them. Instead, his eyes were red and puffy, like he had been crying all night.

“Leo?” I said slowly. “Did you sleep at all?”

He shook his head.

“No, Mommy,” he said. “I stayed up. I didn’t want to sleep.”

“Why not?” I asked, even though I could already feel my heart sinking.

I pulled one of the blankets under the coffee table and wrapped Leo in it, hoping if he felt safer, he would talk.

“Because Grandma scares me,” he said, his hands clutching his teddy bear tightly.

I felt a wave of panic wash over me.

“Scares you? What happened, honey? What did Grandma say or do?”

“She keeps trying to put something into my mouth,” he said. “She chases me with it, and it’s scary.”

“What is she trying to put into your mouth, sweetheart?” I asked, my voice tight as I strained to show my emotions.

Leo hesitated.

“Cotton buds,” he said. “You know, what you clean my ears with? She said that she wants to put my spit in the tube. I don’t like it. I don’t want it.”

My blood ran cold. Ever since Leo’s accident a few months ago, where he fell off his bike and landed himself with a broken arm, he’s been terrified of doctors, needles, and anything that reminded him of his time in the hospital.

The thought of Denise running around the house with a cotton swab and a test tube made my blood boil. Why was she trying to get my son to take a DNA test?

“Where’s Grandma?” I asked Leo.

“In the guest room,” he said.

I marched to the guest room and found Denise sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the screaming match that was about to come. Without hesitation, I shook her awake.

“Wake up, we need to talk,” I said.

“What’s going on?” she asked, blinking away her sleep.

“Leo just told me that you’ve been trying to swab his mouth for a test? Why are you traumatizing my son? Why do you want him to have a DNA test?” I demanded.

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked like she was going to deny it.

“I’m sorry,” she said, sitting up. “I didn’t mean to frighten Leo. I’ve just been wondering about something…”

“What? What would possibly be so important that you’d do this behind my back?”

“His hair,” she said simply. “Nobody has had blonde hair like that.”

“You think that my son isn’t Andrew’s because of his hair color?” I asked.

“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s been gnawing at me. I just needed to know, but I didn’t want to accuse you…”

“I can’t believe that you would go to such lengths, Denise.”

“I didn’t know what to think. I’m sorry, Zoe,” she said.

“Please leave, Denise,” I said. “I need time to process this. And I need to focus on Leo.”

She nodded, looking defeated.

Over the next week, things were tense between Andrew and me. While she drove home on the day of the confrontation, she had phoned Andrew and told him everything, firmly securing some seeds of doubt.

“I think we should do the test,” he quietly said one day, not meeting my eyes.

I stared at him, hurt.

“You really think that’s necessary? You believe what your mother is implying?”

“It’s not that I believe it,” he said. “But if we do the test, we can put this all to rest. No more doubts, no more accusations. What if Leo was switched at birth?”

“I had a home birth!” I exclaimed. “You would have remembered if you were here and not in court.”

I sighed.

“Alright,” I said after a moment. “I’ll do the test for Leo, but on one condition.”

“What condition?” he asked.

“If I’m going to do this to prove our son is yours, then you’re going to do a test too. To prove that your father is really your father. Denise needs to know what this feels like.”

Andrew’s eyes widened, shock registering on his face from my request. “What? Why would you even suggest that?”

I could feel his brain overthinking it, but I also knew that he was trying to view the situation from my point of view.

I leaned forward, my voice firm, “Because your mother is the one who’s throwing accusations around. If she’s so obsessed with bloodlines, then maybe she should be sure of her own. So, if you want me to take a test, then you’re going to take one too.”

Andrew hesitated, clearly taken aback by my demand. But after a moment, he nodded. “Okay. If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.”

A few days later, the test results came back. As expected, the test confirmed that Leo was indeed Andrew’s son.

But there was also another revelation that nobody saw coming.

It turned out that the test results for Andrew showed that his biological father wasn’t the man he had called Dad his entire life.

“What the hell, Zoe?” he said out loud.

“This is a conversation for you and your mother,” I said offhandedly.

As much as I wanted to know the truth and to know about Leo’s biological grandfather, I didn’t want to get caught up in Denise’s drama any further. No, thank you. I had a son to focus on. And there was just something about how Denise acted that I wasn’t going to forgive soon.

But eventually, my curiosity gave in and I asked Andrew about his conversation with his mother. It turned out that she had an affair in her youth, resulting in Andrew.

“She said that she had always suspected it, but she didn’t dare do a DNA test while my father was alive. Just imagine, I’ve gone my entire life thinking that my father was just that, my father. But he wasn’t, not biologically. I can’t forgive her, Zoe.”

My heart broke for him.

“So, what does this mean?” I asked.

“It means that we take our time and space away from my mother. And we focus on our son. She’s the one who betrayed our family. Not us,” he said.

I nodded, ready to move on and focus on our family.

Apparently, Denise’s guilt had eaten away at her for decades, leading her to project her insecurities onto me and our son.

What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

My MIL Intentionally Sent Me Faded Flowers for My Birthday with a Nasty Note
Emily has always had issues with Denise, her mother-in-law. But when her birthday rolls around and her husband, Evan, has to go away on a business trip, Emily is left to entertain herself. Denise, on the other hand, takes matters into her own hands and gives her daughter-in-law a horrible birthday gift.

I know we all have problematic mother-in-law stories, but my goodness. I’ve been dealing with Denise for well over five years now. My husband, Evan, and I come from very different backgrounds, which were the first ingredients for a disaster.

Evan grew up in an affluent suburb, while I was raised by a single mom in a rough neighborhood where clothing was stolen straight off the line.

And to make it even worse for Denise? I’m a mixed-race woman, which Denise always looked down on.

“You definitely get your hair from your mother, then,” she would say to annoy me.

Despite Evan’s love and constant defense of me, Denise never missed a chance to remind him that he could’ve done better.

“I’ll bet you a spa day, Emily,” Evan told me one day as we were driving to his mother’s house for dinner. “She’s going to mention something about an ex-girlfriend or about me having done better.”

“You’re on,” I said.

Naturally, he was correct because not even fifteen minutes into the dinner, Denise was talking about an ex.

Read the full story here.

Robert Downey Jr. — From Prison to the Oscars — and There’s Only One Person He Should Be Thankful To

Robert Downey Jr.’s life is like a rollercoaster ride from Hollywood rebel to everyone’s favorite superhero. Despite his struggles with bad habits and the law, he bounced back with his iconic role as Iron Man. His story is all about second chances and showing that no matter how far you fall, you can always get back up, and his latest Oscar win proves it all.

Downey spent very troubled years back in the 90s.

© Bill Waterson / Alamy Stock Photo

Though it may seem like we’re discussing a character from an alternate reality, Downey experienced a tumultuous period between 1996 and 2001. His legal troubles began in 1996, and during this time, his first wife, Deborah Falconer, parted ways with him. In 1999, he found himself in court attire, appealing to a California judge for rehabilitation over imprisonment. Robert Downey Jr. — known as RDJ to his close circle — faced a three-year prison sentence amidst his ongoing struggle with personal challenges.

This episode was just one of many defining moments in the remarkable journey of Robert Downey Jr., known as Tony Stark, Iron Man, and Inmate No. P50522. Downey rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like Weird Science and The Pickup Artist,and had a high-profile relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker. However, after receiving an Oscar nomination for Chaplin in 1993, his career went downward. «Not a lot of people stood by his side,» remarked a source familiar with the situation. During this difficult period, he had only a «very small» support group, including his childhood friend Rob Lowe, who continued to believe in him.

AFP/EAST NEWS

Well, not too long ago, Robert Downey Jr. faced significant challenges that rendered him virtually unemployable. However, in 2001, his latest legal issue resulted in probation, prompting him to seek rehabilitation.

Despite his turbulent past, one thing emerged as a beacon of hope: love. In 2003, Downey encountered a transformative force that helped lift him from rock bottom and set him on a path to redemption.

Love saved him.

© robertdowneyjr / Instagram

After spending some time in jail and completing court-ordered rehab for his well-publicized bad habits, Robert faced the risk of losing his movie career. However, a pivotal role in the 2003 thriller Gothika, where he agreed to receive most of his payment after filming, marked a turning point in his life. When Susan Levin first crossed paths with Robert on the set, she wasn’t initially smitten. However, the Hollywood producer soon found herself drawn to him.

Yet her affection came with a firm condition: Robert had to choose between his personal battles and their relationship. This ultimatum proved effective, as they tied the knot in 2005 and remain together to this day. Despite the challenges, Robert and Susan have enjoyed 17 years of marital happiness, standing as one of Hollywood’s most admired couples.

Even during his Oscar speech, Robert Downey Jr. couldn’t help but express gratitude to his wife, offering a heartfelt tribute. Known for his humor, Downey Jr. kicked off his speech with jokes, quipping that he’d like to thank his «terrible childhood» and the Academy, in that particular sequence.

Amidst the laughter, he playfully acknowledged his wife, Susan Downey, thanking her with a humorous twist. «Thank my veterinarian — I meant wife — Susan Downey over there,» he jestingly remarked. Reflecting on their relationship, he credited her for rescuing him like a snarling pet and nurturing him back to life. In his eyes, her love and support were the reasons for his presence on that prestigious stage.

Downey Jr. has undeniably become the iconic Iron Man for everyone.

ROBYN BECK/AFP/East News

In 2008, Robert Downey Jr.’s career took a meteoric rise with his starring role in the summer blockbuster Iron Man. This marked the beginning of his resurgence in Hollywood. Alongside Iron Man, Downey also shined in the acclaimed comedy Tropic Thunder, earning his second Oscar nomination for his role.

However, his portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man and subsequent appearances in Marvel films, including The Avengers, established him as a pivotal figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey’s involvement in the Marvel universe, including reprising his role in subsequent Iron Man movies, solidified his status as a critical player for Marvel Studios. Additionally, his performances in other projects, such as the Sherlock Holmes franchise, showcased his talent and range as an actor.

Once viewed as «someone bad» due to personal struggles, Downey has since transformed his career trajectory. Now in recovery after over 15 years, studios and directors actively seek him out for his undeniable talent and professionalism. His ability to shine again has not only fueled his personal growth but has also contributed to the ongoing success of his career.

He won his first Oscar as «Best supporting actor».

ROBYN BECK/AFP/East News

Robert Downey Jr. has secured the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. His victory sheds light on the complexities of the Academy’s supporting categories, and Downey’s performance is undeniably stellar, showcasing his trademark nervy and twitchy charisma.

This triumph caps off a remarkable awards season for the star, adding to his victories at the Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice Awards, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Film Awards.

During his acceptance speech, Downey expressed gratitude to his collaborators on Oppenheimer, including director Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, and his co-stars and fellow Oscar nominees Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt. He humbly acknowledged his need for the job and praised the exceptional cast and crew assembled for the film.

Al Seib / Avalon/Photoshot/East News

Reflecting on the significance of their work, Downey emphasized the importance of the stories they choose to tell. He concluded by acknowledging how the experience had transformed him for the better, highlighting the meaningfulness of their profession and the impact of the projects they undertake.

Robert Downey Jr.’s story is truly inspiring—it proves that anyone can turn their life around and shine brightly once again with love and determination. Now, he’s not just focusing on himself; he’s also committed to helping others and making a difference in the world. Like a real superhero, he’s using his influence to do good in the world, both for people and the earth.

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