To be done with childcare?

[MyOtherCarIsAPorsche]

So DGS has been screaming since before midnight.

He's still going.

My ears are agony with the volume.

My legs and probably my face black and blue from kicking.

I haven't slept particularly well for a couple of weeks - probably since his sister went into hospital - this is the 15th night she's been in and she's in for another 10.

I visit her on the train everyday, often doing the later half of the day so I'm home around 9.30pm - because I've had my other daughter's children while she's at work.

My daughter was given tickets for cold play at Christmas and it's coincided with hospital. So SIL is at hospital with older granddaughter.

There's no wonder DGS always has a sore throat - his throat must be raw.

He's been talking/shouting/whining in his sleep since he fell asleep. Which was about 7.30.

He sleeps with a parent because this happens every night. HV and GP aware - but have done nothing.

The other parent sleeps on the sofa, which is a treat.

I've had more than 5 hours of solid roaring, each one ending in a crescendo of a high pitched scream which would shatter safety glass.

I'm sat on the floor crying - long past placating.

When they say leave to cry they'll stop - he really hasn't. He's been on the verge vomiting/choking several times. He spits out calpol and any other medication.

He's been like this a year.

I can't face tomorrow. My daughter will go straight to the hospital from London and then SIL will come back - 6-7pm tomorrow.

I picked him up with his twin sister at 6am Friday morning.

I'm going round the twist.

No wonder his behaviour is challenging all day long.

Always thought they were exaggerating when they say they had no sleep.

And now his twin sister is up and about and I don't want to start the day - I'm shattered. If I leave this room he will follow and he's had max 4 hrs sleep.

I have my other three grandchildren for a sleepover whenever they want (usually Fridays). Not a problem.

Hopefully, I can refuse next time? But this would really hurt my daughter. Hopefully, it won't happen again?

He's still going strong.

This sounds pathetic but I want to go home.

SIL's family are always too busy to share childminding. He finds this embarrassing and has distanced himself from his parents this last year. So it mainly falls to me. And I never say no - they won't know how many things I've cancelled last minute to be accommodating.

And he's still going. I have tried everything.

Caring for challenging children is particularly hard when you are grandparents age. Much as we wish it was not so, we slow down. I know you feel your DD deserved her treat I do think that you have taken on too much.

To be honest I have always been very clear with my family about how much grandchild care I am able to take on. They have always been respectful of that and are glad that I have been honest, and grateful for what I am able to do.

You do need to look after yourself too. Set some parameters .... I am sure they do not want you to be so stressed.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche Just in case you need to do more overnights, I'd recommend loop ear plugs - you can still hear them, but it takes that horrible desperate tone away from the noise that makes you want to reach inside past your eyeballs to remove your brain.

Deepest sympathies. My eldest (6), would scream for 2 hours, sleep for 45 minutes, repeat overnight for the first 2 years. I child proofed his room, made a big floor bed (he slept on me until 3) and just rested through it when not needed to carry him around. He's only started sleeping alone this summer holiday (still low sleep needs but has stopped waking his little sister at least) and he sounds less challenging than your dgs.