Nighttime conversations are often rambling. Let her lead. This isn't the time to bring up grievances; it's the time to gather the "lore" of her life.
There is a reason why "fireside chats" are a trope. Dim lighting reduces eye contact pressure, making it easier for people to share vulnerabilities or stories from their past that they might feel "too exposed" to share in broad daylight. mother in law who opens up when the moon rises better
Here is an exploration of why some mothers-in-law find their voice in the moonlight and how you can navigate this nocturnal emotional bloom. The Twilight Shift: Why the Moon Changes the Dynamic Nighttime conversations are often rambling