DEAR ABBY: My sister has three children, ages 7, 5 and 6 months. Her husband works nights and doesn't return home until morning.
In order to get some exercise, my sister walks in the morning. She leaves her kids alone in the house, and takes a baby monitor with her. She insists that she stays within sight of her house.
I don't want to tell my sister how to parent, but I feel this is a safety issue. She won't listen to her younger sister, but says she'll listen to you. Please, Abby, give her your opinion. -- CONCERNED SISTER IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR SISTER: I don't blame you for being concerned. Leaving children 7, 5 and 6 months old alone is negligence. If an emergency were to occur while she was away from the house, none of the children would be capable of dealing with it. The possibilities -- poisoning, choking, a fall -- are frightening.
Your sister needs to establish a weekly routine whereby someone can be there to tend her children while she de-stresses.