For the past two weekends, I had to deal with my sister in law.
First last weekend at a BBQ at her house. Also known as the toddler death trap.
Upon arrival, my neice, her four year old daughter, was in the pool sans any adults. Oh don't worry she had swimmies on -- let's hope they don't deflate. Since we had just arrived, she came out to see my daughter. My heart returned to a normal beating pattern and we got situated at the table. Just then, my SIL came out and let out her disgusting 150lb bull dog, who to me, might as well be a pig. For one, he's huge and shows his big teeth. Besides fearing he may eat my young, I also fear that he's going to charge at me and "slime me". Once when I was pregnant, he got my pants good, and I had to throw them away. But given the season, it's even worse considering that I am bare legged and my toes are out.
After recovering from that, she tells the kids to play off the deck on the slide which is situated on concrete and is next to the part of the pool which does NOT have a gate around it.
Thankfully at this point, I was able to get the baby asleep while rocking him in a small square on the deck. I had thought I may walk him around the block but I feared for Meg's life if I were to leave her. After he was asleep, I was able to make sure she stays alive by hanging with them down on the concrete.
When the kids were done with that, we ate and I was glad to have my daughter right next to me on a chair, even if she was eating a hotdog.
Next up, dinner is done and my SIL suggests the kids -- ages 3 & 4 -- play in the basement INSIDE, while the grown ups are OUTSIDE. Yes, they would be INSIDE and we'd be OUTSIDE. Out of hearing range, out of blood smelling range and well, just out of range for a host of things that could go wrong.
I don't know why I just don't put my foot down....I think it's because if I open my mouth to be firm and she gets in defensive in any way I will blow and tell her what I really think of her and then it will be UGLY.
I let them go, and run in to "check" on them a million times.
While this is going on, my son wakes up and I find him with her eating grapes.
Now I decide, it's time to go.
Cut to THIS weekend. It's her daughter's birthday part, which thankfully, is at an arts and crafts center. While I am chatting with the adults and telling them about how my friend locked her kid in the car with it running at Old Navy this weekend......my SIL offers up some advice. She said "When I leave my daughter in the car to run into a store, I always leave the windows open enough so that I can reach my arm in and I always take the keys so no one can make off with her. Now that's MOTHER OF THE YEAR material right there, don't you think?
Almost as bad as leaving your kids in the hotel room while you go have dinner. Apparently she doesn't read the papers!
Posted by: UKBroad | June 06, 2007 at 01:56 AM