so I'm 39, and my niece is 20. She has a son (my great nephew) who is about 19.5 months old. I agreed to babysit for her on Saturday night. Knowing that she had to take care of her son the following day one would think that she'd arrive back home at a decent enough hour to get a few good hours of shuteye. She showed up at 7:00 am.

How the heck am I not supposed to be infuriated? I am very close to her son, and growing more and more distant from my niece as time goes on. I simply cannot deal with her acting irresponsibly anymore, but what to do??????? I would like to continue seeing my nephew, but I really don't care to see her for a while.

so the agreement was not an overnight watch? either way, one has to consider where the child will go if not with you... you're in a hard place with that decision.

that is a tough one. she is probably too young to understand the responsibility set before her. thing is why punish the child for the parents irresponsibility. imho i would not babysit overnight for awhile. see the nephew by visiting her, often if you like, and each time take afew minutes to teach her some new lesson about being responsible. she won't listen to you, but by visiting her and talking to her, she won't be able to go out and forget her child.