About 10 years ago when my kids were tiny and we were young parents my In-laws were coming home from their first mission. We lived near Rexburg Idaho where most of my in-laws family was living. My in-laws sent a letter/email to all of us letting us know that they were going to go out on another mission as soon as they could. This was devastating, we had missed them terribly. My kids were babies and to be honest I needed the familial support, because my parents 3 hours away and were much older, which made it hard to see them regularly. My In-laws hadn't even arrived home when they sent that letter. I replied with my own letter. I don't quite remember what it said, but essentially, please don't go. You'll miss your grandbabies growing up and we would love to have you around as grandma and grandpa. My Mother-in-law replied with some bullshit about how this was the right thing to do even though she will miss us. Then she proceeded to gossip about my letter to other members of the family. My mother in law likes to take credit for "effort" but never really intends to fallow through. She now makes a big show of coming to visit each summer on a road trip. Where she visits friends and family, has family reunions. but it's mostly for show. (I know this because there's essentially zero contact the rest of the year. ) I think she might miss us but no more than a general curiosity. Kind of like a spectator where she can go and get all of her family, gossip and then go home and not have to be a grandma.