My parents watch my kids all the time- in fairness both of them are pediatricians so that definitely helps. DH's family no way- his sister can't parent her own children and my MIL is like the pp's. Dysfunctional!

We trust my parents, brother, and SIL without a second thought. I would never leave a child of mine with my husband's family. They are just untrustworthy and dysfunctional in so many ways. I don't have bad feelings or drama about it, just how it is. I set my boundaries and stick to it.

Anonymous wrote:I trust my in-laws and my own parents to watch my kids.

There's definitely a lot of discussion by people who don't--but I don't think times have really changed that much. Instead, I think those people are just a vocal minority.

Good point!

I don't trust my MIL for long stretches of time. She actively disputes any rules I set. Even when I left written instructions about a feeding schedule she didn't follow it. (And I'm not talking about anything complicated, just approximate times for bottles, baby was screaming from hunger when I got home.) She does stuff like run through red lights with the baby in the stroller. She's not very good at soothing the baby and thinks it's funny or cute when she cries and screams.

She has very good intentions, but until my kid is able to walk and talk and fend for herself, I won't leave her with MIL for any extended period of time.

I trust and have had my in laws and mom and stepdad watch our kids while we were away. BIL and SIL watched our oldest while we were at the hospital for our youngest's birth. I think the issue is that not everyone has trustworthy family members/family in the area.

I am not ready to leave my child with anyone other than my husband, overnight.

I trust my in-laws and would let them watch DD for a few hours. It's only happened once, but we don't live nearby.

I would not let my mother meet DD. I might let my father watch DD after she's asleep for the night, or if awake, just for an hour or two.

I trust my in-laws and my own parents to watch my kids.

There's definitely a lot of discussion by people who don't--but I don't think times have really changed that much. Instead, I think those people are just a vocal minority.

I do, mostly. Though I am also cognizant that they are older and wear out more quickly.

And my MIL has mobility issues, so I wouldn't trust her to watch my youngest (3) on her own yet, since she physically isn't up to it.

My mom has had a stroke and I would say is only 70% of who she was but she was so awesome then that she is just above average now. Full trust she may be a little slower but she gets a little extra steam around those grands!!

Anonymous wrote:I trust my in-laws. I do not trust my parents. They were abusive to us kids growing up, and they have a dysfunctional relationship with each other. Plus, they aren't really that interested in my children.

Ditto.

I trust my in-laws. I do not trust my parents. They were abusive to us kids growing up, and they have a dysfunctional relationship with each other. Plus, they aren't really that interested in my children.

I trust my parents, my in laws, and my sister in law. Don't trust my brother (yet!) because he has never really been around babies. Once DS is able to throw a ball around, my brother will be all over it!

PP -- this OP and I trust my folks and in-laws...lately that just seems so rare...

I trust both my parents and my in-laws to take care of my toddler.

Just curious...are there any parents out there that actually trust their parents or in-laws to babysit, vacation, or otherwise take care of their kids for a short or extended period of time?
Yes, I know folks who have irresponsible, untrustworthy parents ...but are there more of those these days than when I was growing up (i'm in my 40's)
Maybe it's just this board that seems to speak to a proliferation of parents described as crazy and/or controlling and not fit for childcare.
Or is it this generation that is more controlling than our parents were and hesitant to put some slack in the apron strings??