Is this bonkers SIL behaviour or am I overthinking it?

It's her, not you. I'd go along with it and hopefully you can do so in a lighthearted way.

After all, people do still do idiotic things like smearing baby's bum with a thick layer of barrier cream, and propping bottles up so they can feed hands-free. Not suggesting you do, but a big minority.

Sounds bat shit BUT I left my 6mo DS with my MIL to see a film and when I got back she had left him to sleep on the sofa in an outdoor snowsuit, and a blanket, propped up by pillows, and gone to bed. Everyone else thought this was fine. She has 8 grandchildren so the amount of experience isn’t the same as quality of experience. So while it does seem mad to the outside eye, maybe your standards are different.

This. No way would I go along with this batshittery, fuck that.

Hilariously PFB but almost certainly more about her anxiety than your parenting. Grit your teeth, smile and go along with it and file it away to laugh with her about in a few years.

If she's that anxious it's probably a massive compliment that she's willing to leave the baby with you.

This would be a no from me.

As others have said - it's not an interview!

I think my reply would be 'If you feel you need to check the nappy skills of someone on their 3rd child then honestly, you're not ready to allow anyone to babysit'.

She sounds a tad clenched, bless her.

Obviously it's ott but I'd be inclined to cut her some slack and agree

She’d hate how I do it then. It’s like a F1 pit stop! On my knee, off, quick (or very thorough) wipe, nappy on, back sat playing in seconds! The bottle thing is very baby dependent (don’t they do it themselves at that age???) saying that I’ve never had any of mine using bottles at 8months… just go along with it for her peace of mind. Sometimes that’s all a new mama needs, to feel supported in her own parenting style/choice etc.

You’re not interviewing to be her nanny

SIL, I'm doing uou a favour here.
You either trust me to look after your child, or you don't but I'm not being tested.
[I've got 3 children how many nappies do you think I've changed & bottles I've fed them]

MoneyAndPercentages · Today 15:47

Definitely weird, but honestly it's probably more for her leaving-baby anxiety and peace of mind than thinking you're a terrible babysitter!

Yes, I agree with that, although I do thin it's a bit over the top!

Yeah it's a bit weird but as someone who had postnatal anxiety I can sympathise with her. If you're willing just agree and go along with it, ask her to show you how she'd like you to do the tasks. Let her do what she needs to feel reassured so she can go enjoy a break

Haha! She's batshit but I think harmlessly so.

If the baby's 8 months old and she hasn't really spent any time apart, I guess that's where it comes from.

Yeah that’s OTT. How many different ways of changing a nappy are there?! You’ve obviously done it hundreds of times before so it’s not like making sure a novice knows what to do.
If she has a particular way of doing the bottle then she just needs to leave instructions on that and talk you through it, an observation is not necessary!

Good grief that's quite full on PFB behaviour but I'd grin and bear it and be the better person.

One day she will cringe with embarrassment remembering this.

Depends on your relationship. If you think she will get over herself and this request is something you will both laugh at in the future, then humour her. If you don't particularly like her, I wouldn't bother going through her test of your technique. Where is her brother in all this, will he be examined in a similar way, or is this just wife work?

Definitely weird, but honestly it's probably more for her leaving-baby anxiety and peace of mind than thinking you're a terrible babysitter!

My mind comes up with all kinds of unlikely scenarios that might happen when I leave DS with someone... I can now filter most of it out thank god 😂

So no, she doesn't really have a right to ask this and it's kinda weird. But if you like her and are trying to be supportive/get her out of the baby bubble, I'd go along with it (and maybe make a joke or two!)