Even though we’re often told not to worry about what others think, many of us still crave acceptance and love. It’s natural to feel hurt when overhearing negative comments about ourselves, and equally uplifting when we hear unexpected praise. One mother-in-law seems to understand this well, as she frequently “forgets” to hang up after talking to her daughter-in-law.
A Thoughtful Gesture
While mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships are often portrayed as challenging, this story proves that they can be quite the opposite.
Recently, a Reddit user named Kindly-Article-9357 shared a heartwarming secret in response to a question about personal stories people don’t mind revealing. She confessed to uplifting her daughter-in-law in a unique way.
“I’ve started to occasionally ‘accidentally’ (but intentionally) not hang up my phone properly after calls with my daughter-in-law,” she wrote. “I then talk to my husband about how much I enjoy talking to her, how wonderful she is, how grateful I am that our son married her, and any other positive things I think she might need to hear.”
A Family of Choice
The mother-in-law revealed that her daughter-in-law has had a difficult past with family members who were more critical than supportive. This inspired her to take action. It all began when she accidentally butt-dialed her daughter-in-law and was overheard speaking kindly about her.
“I started doing this after my son told me his wife came to him in tears,” she shared. “She had stayed on the line to hear what I ‘really’ thought of her, expecting the worst based on her previous family experiences. Instead, she was deeply touched by what she heard, and it boosted her confidence for weeks.”
Now, she uses her age as a playful excuse to keep the gesture going, saying, “They just think I’m getting older and worse with technology.”
Leading by Example
The mother-in-law said she drew inspiration from her own experience dating someone whose terminally ill mother treated her with great kindness.
“She had this calm serenity from accepting her own mortality,” she recalled. “She treated me like her own daughter, making me feel seen and loved. I try to follow her example with my kids and their spouses.”
Many Reddit users were moved by the story, with some expressing their own desire for similar supportive relationships with their in-laws.
“As someone who grew up feeling like a burden, this makes me cry. You’re a wonderful MIL, and the world needs more people like you,” one commenter wrote.
The Power of Kind Words
There’s a special kind of validation that comes from overhearing someone speak well of you when you’re not around. It’s an act of kindness that any of us can practice.
We don’t need to fake hang-ups to spread positivity. Speaking kindly about others—whether family, friends, or colleagues—could lead to them overhearing, which could give them the boost they need. Studies also show that regularly attributing positive traits to others may lead people to associate those qualities with you.
You never know what someone might be going through, and your words could be the lift they need. At the very least, you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to create a more supportive and positive world.