My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

Ok, I have never posted about my MIL. She is a nice woman, never too much trouble.

IL's live in Jersey and are always asking to come and babysit. My parents live close to us, so they usually do all babysitting. I am a SAHM, so it is usually just when DH and I get a day or evening out.

I called MIL and she agreed to come Saturday to watch Ava so we could go out for the evening. Before we went out, She wanted to walk Ava to the park in her wagon. Fine... She leaves Ava in the wagon in front of our house by our front steps alone- to come in the house to get something... I almost freak out and plan on telling my husband to handle it.

The next morning, (Sunday) I was getting dressed, and she was playing in the backyard with Ava. Then I go into the kitchen and she comes in the front door. I hear my DH say "Where is Ava?" I'm like "What ?" MIL says "She's fine. I just came in to get a paper towel." I run to the living room window and there is my 2 year old baby in her wagon at the end of the driveway- by the street strapped into her wagon!!!!!! I almost threw up!!!!!!!!! We live on a busy street- a strong wind could have blown her right into the street....She could have un buckled the belt and climbed out- which she can do!!! or some pervert could have snatched her.....What was she thinking!!!!!!!!!!

She then went out and took the baby to the park. I lost it. I told my Dh that she can never ever watch her again- among other things.....

Then to top it all off, about 10 minutes later, I hear DD at the back door. She climbs up the steps and I let her in. I assumed that MIL was putting her wagon away and sent her to the house. I clean her up, sit her in her chair ans she starts eating breakfast. 5 minutes later MIL comes in the house in a panic..she says "Here she is, I went to put the wagon in the shed and turned around and couldn't find her."

***... are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can any person take their eyes off a 2 year old even for a split second. She was in the house a full 5 minutes before MIL even came inside. My baby could have gotten out of one of 2 gates and could have been run over dead within 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!OMG

I need to handle this...What do I do. She is suppossed to watch Ava from morning till night next Saturday, and then a full day the next week while I have surgery. Right now, I feel that she should not watch my child alone any more....

Please help me - I am soooo upset!!!

Message edited 1/7/2007 10:58:19 PM.

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

OMG! I'd be fuming too! You're a good woman! I would not have been able to keep my composure through all of that. Personally, there is no way in hell that I'd let her watch my child again. What does your DH have to say about all of this?

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

I don't really have any advice except don't address it right now. I think you & DH need to figure out what the best way to approach her. While normally I'd say let DH handle his own mom, I think in this case the two of you should sit down with her together to talk to her. Mainly because it's such a safety issue & it would drive the point home.

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

Im sorry- but I dont think she'd be babysitting for me- she is clearly irresponsible!

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

Posted by nrthshgrl



I don't really have any advice except don't address it right now. I think you & DH need to figure out what the best way to approach her. While normally I'd say let DH handle his own mom, I think in this case the two of you should sit down with her together to talk to her. Mainly because it's such a safety issue & it would drive the point home.

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

Posted by MrsJ

Posted by nrthshgrl



I don't really have any advice except don't address it right now. I think you & DH need to figure out what the best way to approach her. While normally I'd say let DH handle his own mom, I think in this case the two of you should sit down with her together to talk to her. Mainly because it's such a safety issue & it would drive the point home.

I agree - and she wouldnt be babysitting for me any time soon. Thankfully she lives in NJ!!

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

I would explain to her all the thing that could have happened the day she baby sat and how nervous you now are. I would take the blame just to keep peace and say I was nuerotic about keeping her safe .

If it were me, I wouldnt let her baby sit for two days after what you saw. I wouldnt have even let her tae her to the park that day.

Good luck

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

I was mad just reading that and my heart dropped when she was by the street by herself.
I agree with the others and you and your DH need to sit and talk about the situation together and then bring it to her attention together. When your DH was growing up it was a different time and you cant leave your children in the front alone for a second and she just might not realize that. I dont think I would feel comfortable with her watching Ava for that amount of time. I think it would cause me to much stress. Good Luck !

Re: My first MIL Issue- Beyond LIVID!!

Very simple-No way would she be babysitting my DD and it's up to your DH to step up and handle it.