My mother-in-law Julia was a godsend, always there with advice and support when my husband Toby and I were struggling to conceive. She took me to a wellness coach, fertility massages, and even gifted us a new mattress, insisting that it might improve our chances of having a baby.

Soon after, we learned I was pregnant. It felt like a miracle. Our daughter, Maddie, was born healthy and perfect. Julia was incredible, helping with the baby and caring for us.

One night, when Maddie had a diaper blow-out, Toby found a small silk bag pinned to the mattress. It contained various herbs. He was alarmed and burned the mattress, fearing something esoteric. He questioned Julia about it, and she admitted it was her way of helping us conceive.

Though she meant well, it was unsettling to realize that she’d taken matters into her own hands without telling us. Toby was angry, but Julia apologized, saying she only wanted to help. I was torn between gratitude for her support and discomfort with her secrecy. Ultimately, we decided to start fresh with Julia, making it clear that she had to be open with us going forward. It was a new chapter, but with Maddie in our arms, it felt like we could handle anything.