Update: AITA for having another play date with a mom my MIL didn’t like.

Original post is here
https://www.reddit.com/r/AITAH/comments/1e4czgj/aita_for_arranging_another_play_date_with_a_mom/

So it’s been a year, Luke and my daughter are in the same class again this year and are thrilled.

We did have the second (and MANY OTHER) play dates with Katie and Luke and also Katie’s other two kiddos.

All three of Katie’s kids are nothing but kind to JP and every one of them takes time out of whatever they’re doing to come hang out with JP every time. Her oldest son specifically can get JP going really good. He also (he’s 13) will carry JP around and push him on the swings (with my permission… ETA: it was with my permission at first. Now he just takes his little buddy JP and heads right on out). JP and Katie’s oldest have this bond that I can’t describe. JP lights up when he sees his big buddy.

When my MIL found out I was having the second play date she was really mad. And she did in fact stop helping me out with the kids while my husband was gone. My husband was mad about this (her actions, not mine) and hasn’t spoken to her since.

She consistently has reached out to see if we need help with the kids in any way.

It brings me great satisfaction to say that both mine and my husband’s response has been “No, you don’t need to help us. Katie is helping us.”

Because while I was so over worried about if I was exploiting JP to make a friend, I felt like I needed to tell Katie I didn’t need her help. Until I really did. And when I did… she showed up, and she showed out. And there hasn’t been a day since that Katie and I don’t talk on the phone or text more than just “oh let’s hang out here and there at this time for the kids”.

Katie is my friend. And not only is she my friend, she loves my kiddos with her whole heart. And I love hers.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have kept Katie’s kids for her also. They are so well behaved and respectful it’s such an easy yes.

Thank you to everyone for your advice and kind words on the original post.

My family might’ve lost my MIL, but we got a Katie. And that’s worth a whole lot.