Some small signs and settling down for a marathon

[Papa4Life]

Hi rkyfat, that's quite a puzzler you've got on your hands there. I have tremendous respect for parents of special needs kids. My nephew is autistic and I know he needs a lot of special attention and guidance. My hats off to you.

Maybe this is an opportunity for you to sit down and talk to W about the logistics of her leaving you alone with your son. It might be a good chance to practice patience and problem solving, and you might want to set some boundaries. Maybe ask her to make it a shorter holiday so you don't have to swing things on your own for an entire week? Or maybe there's some other option you two can come up with together? If not, stand up for yourself and say no. The decision W has made will have implications for her lifestyle, so perhaps it's best if she's confronted with that reality sooner rather than later.