Often the people who 'know everything' about parenting don't have any children of their own. This gives them the right to complain whenever they are 'sure' they could raise that child better than the kid's own mother could! I don't hardly even think so! Leave that girl with her mother & get a life! She will be grown soon enough. But unless both mother & niece wants niece to live with you, let them live their lives however suits them. Prudie should have tactfully suggested 'butt out' to this letter writer.