zoeh@bu.edu

This. Exactly. But to soften it a little…
I understand the frustration but try asking yourself: are a few days of extra candy and tv here or there going to harm your child long term? (Think: job prospects? Ability to be kind and respectful? Getting into college. Making friends). How important is it that your child have a relationship with their grandparents? How important is it that you and your wife get time alone together? How tightly do you need to control your child? (Pretty soon that kid is going to start fighting for control of themselves and like it or not you are going to have to gradually lessen you strict controls… or they will be stealing candy when they are on play dates… but that’s another story) and is there a bigger picture here about your relationship- or maybe your wife’s relationship- with your MIL that’s underlying your reactions? Is your child happy while you are away and still alive when you get back? lol. I guess I have low expectations but I do really hope you feel that you can leave the kiddo and that you have a nice trip.