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[quote=Anonymous]I love my older sister; we get along really well, and truly enjoy our time together. We keep in touch frequently, even though we live in different areas of the country. So this isn't an "overall" sibling issue.

When we go on vacation (as we will do for a big family trip in August), my sister always gets on my case about being "too strict" with my kids. What she means by this is that my husband and I stick to our typical nap and night-sleep schedule, even though that means we can't do quite as much stuff/stay up as late. Her kids are older (8, 6 and 4) than mine (3 and 6 months). I also limit sugar, but I'm not crazy about it. My 3yo can absolutely have a cookie or a small piece of cake or whatever for dessert, but I'm firm about no soda and not too much candy at snack time, etc.

So, for example, she'll get upset that we won't join them for every outing/won't cram as much activities into the day, because of naps. She doesn't like that my kids go to be early. But the reality is, if we deviate from the schedule, my toddler gets super cranky and wound up, and it's no fun to be around her, anyway! And the baby is...well, a baby, and definitely needs good naps and nights.

In the past, I've let it roll off my back for a few mentions over a few days, before finally telling her to leave me alone, and we're not changing our schedules. Then, she gets upset and feels like I'm "judging her" for being a more permissive parent. (Which I'm not, at all; I don't say anything about her schedule or her kids, I just won't budge on our schedule and what is best for our kids. I don't say anything about what she lets her kids eat or drink; I truly don't care!)

Do I send her an e-mail ahead of time? Do I say something at the start of the trip? Do I just let it play out again? It makes me kind of anxious/disappointed. We have a good relationship, but this comes up EVERY TIME![/quote]

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