Thanks for the good idea for distracting the parent. I just don't know if I can do that yet, being it would be hard not to show my anger and get upset myself. I know validating is a good thing to help anyone. Everyone wants to be validated.
My MIL has never got that lesson. I remember telling how aweful it was to be up for 3 nights in a row with my crying sick infant, and her response was , well if I did it , whats your problem with it. But then again she isn't really human! Just kidding, I think...ummmmmmm yeah, just joking.