High Anxiety

[stressedoutinohio]

I came home from another 12 hour day to babysit my grand-daughters and live in niece. My wife works 12 hour shifts also, so by the time I got off of work she was already at her job. She calls me to tell me that our daughter (who lives with us) had a friend come over to watch the grand-daughters and niece ( who all live with us also) and that she went to visit an ex-boyfriend. So I'm exhausted and now have to babysit. Which my wife says is okay because the kids all go to bed at 9:00 and they would be asleep anyway. This happens all the time and everyone thinks that I am over re-acting.

[sweet_blu]

Hi there (sorry I did reply but my message has dissapeared!) wow it sure sounds like you got a lot going on. Is anyone aware of your anxiety? It sounds to me like you need a break! In one way the kids are in bed you say so you shouldnt have much to do (sounds like u got the easy shift lol) But when u are tired like u r, it is a lot, its not over-reacting either if you are having to do it all the time...Im a mum of 4 boys and they are a handful! Yes I have my boyfriend but he only does so much and I find I do everythin pretty much which gets tiring

[stressedoutinohio]

Thank you sweet_blu. It may seem like the easy shift but, the kids keep getting up and wanting drinks or they are hungry or they don't feel good or they are arguing, etc....It's just frustrating. And yes my wife knows I have anxieties.

[sweet_blu]

I think the night-time shift would be harder as you would have been on the go all day and you just want to get to bed yourself! I used to have the same problem with 2 of my sons...they would get up every half hour wanting something...so just before bed I made sure they knew it was the last food/drink/etc and so then if they got up sayin Muuuum Im thirsty/hungry/dont feel good, Id be able to say , you had ya chance, if you were sleeping you wouldnt be lol and if they tried the I dont feel well. I would tell them they managed their last food so it was tiredness! Hmmm as for the arguing, have you tried sending youngest to bed first then the next a while later to give the youngest a chance to fall asleep?? if they say I dont like being alone, you can tell them if they dont like it, to stop arguing! I used to do child care courses and did a degree of sorts lol so kinda learnt a few things along the way...I hope it helps, I dont want to offend you as you are a grandparent and have done this all already lol

[stressedoutinohio]

Well usually my youngest grand-daughter goes to bed when I tell her without arguing. My oldest grand-daughter and niece are the same age, and go to bed at 9 with lights out and t.v. off by 10. But, sometimes my grand-daughter gets back up and says she can't sleep. And wants the t.v. back on. I tell her no. But, if my wife is at work and her mother isn't home (which is about every night), I have to deal with it. Sometimes I get really mad and yell at them for it. But, I feel bad. But, I'm usually exhausted. I can't help it. And I would NEVER hit them. I don't get that angry. I just don't know what else to do.

[sweet_blu]

I can understand how you feel and you are so not alone!!! I reckon children are sent here to test us and that is what they do with a passion lol...It is very hard work when you are exhausted and there is wrong in getting angry...I still think if you are exhausted, you cant control your emotions very well...they get the better of you...does your grand-daughter get up early?? Maybe she needs to burn off some energy so when she does to go bed, shes too tired to stay awake Hmm the only other option would be a reward system for your younger grand-daughter...if she stays in bed, she can get a reward the next day, but to make sure the older two understand why. You never said how old they are so not sure what else to suggest right now...but please know you are not alone! I was a single mum for a while and 3 kids are a handful!! So I can understand how you feel