The most important and influential lesson I learned from muy parents marriage wad to pick your battles. Compromise, let the little things slide. Don't be a pouch over but don't let the little stuff turn into a fight about sunbathing that ultimately is unimportant. So when I come home after leaving my 4 month old with my MIL and he's not wearing socks or pants I let it go. It's summer, we have the AC on. I want him wearing these things because he can get chilly. My major concern is the polite arguments we have about his car seat. "Don't strap him in that tight, he's uncomfortable!" "You don't make your seatbelt that tight!" Actually, I do. Wearing a seat belt properly saved my life. My doctor told me I should be able to slip one finger between the straps and the baby. She wants me to leave them visably loose. I have tried explaining that the the law and the doctor BOTH require the straps to be snug but she just looks at me like I'm that crazy, overprotective FTM. I'm at the point where I'm going to stop being nice, lose my temper, yell, and then take the car seat base we put in her car OUT. If you can't follow the rules privileges will be taken away. (She's our babysitter) I love this lady. She is so wonderful in so many ways but I really think this is something I can't compromise. Car seats are for safety not comfort.