[akajb2]

I agree. At 13 watching a 3yr old all day for a week is way to long.

[slpjlc]

I agree 13 is to youn to baby sit all dy I dont even Like to leave mykids with a adult most of the time. I just dont feel safe with them watching my kids.

[GrannyGodley]

As grandparents we want to have time with our grandchildren. However, some are just really good with overnights and extended stays and some are not. Key issues in your instance would be:

• A 13 year old being in charge for full days, several days running. Not good. Legally I believe most states allow for a child above 12 to be left alone and the parents not charged with abandonment. However, to give a 13 year old this much responsibility with the parent/guardian some distance away is frightening.
• The grandparent is working during the day. This is a bad situation for a 3 year old to be in the hands of a 13 year old while the temporary guardian - grandparent - is at work all day. Granny comes home tired (yes, we do) and has to contend with a 3 year old. What visiting time does the 3 year old have with the grandparent if they are at work all day. A 3 year old's quality time is usually during the day.
• Get some help for yourself from another source so you can have some "YOU" time. I know the stress of child rearing can sometimes get to you, but "this too shall pass." Find little breaks here and there for some relief. Perhaps a "mother's morning out" at a church. Or perhaps a teen to baby sit occasionally so you can have a little free time.

[Jamalfi]

I wouldn't leave my kids with my IL's either. I would be sooooo uncomfortable that no matter where I went it would not be a good time. I know that my IL's (all of them) don't like it. The way I see it I would be better off leaving them home alone with a bottle of tequila and a book of matches............ Don't feel like you can't be Mom infront of her. If you are correcting ds with something and she but's in just tell her "I got it, Thanks" and I would say it stern. It might take a few times but, she will get the point. I used to try and give my ds a time out and my MIL would know that he wasn't allowed to talk and will still try and talk to him. Then I yelled at her to get away from him and she got the point. Good Luck