SIL won't leave her kids with one. Period. Only MIL, her MIL or H and I are able to watch her kids. She doesn't think this is an issue and likes to go out a good deal. Someone watches her kids probably 4x per week. She's recently resorted to have her 5 year old call us and say "Mommy says I want to come over and play." - we can't say no to that!
MIL and her MIL have apparently put a stop to her just dropping her kids off whenever she wants to and I told H last night that we're about to stop too. But it's made me think - I don't understand not leaving your kids with a babysitter.
Obviously you interview the babysitter, have the sitter meet the kids and everything and preferably know someone he/she has sat for before. I was left with babysitters all the time. But my mom was a high school teacher, so many of these kids were prior students...
I just can't fathom not having a babysitter and putting my family out like SIL is currently doing. Maybe I'm weird though.
What say you?