I find that even when we have a freind or family member visit that my kids are better behaved... we don't have anyone to 'take our kids for a while' either but every so often someone will come over and visit which helps a bit. My kids have an uncle who is a primary school teacher... he's great... he just has to ask the kids whether they have heard me and they slow right down. He doesn't lecture them or anything.

Are your girls better when you take them out? Or do they fight in public as well?