I've just heard that the mother in law may be returning to live with us, as she misses the little'un so much. Now mock if you like, but I think it's a fantastic arrangement. If I want to bugger off to shanghai (or hangzhou, or suzhou, or whatever) for a couple of days, without having to worry about the toddler, it's actually possible.
We may mock the Chinese anbout how they do things, but they have it bang on in this respect - of course that itself is for another thread. But in future (if she returns) I may be able to convince the wife to let me go and attend one of these jamborees...