Hello I'm struggling a fair bit .
I have a best friend who I love..she has children and I love them too .
But her youngest child is very hard work .
He is 4 ...
He seems to be absolutely fine in nursery they have no worries at all .
I had him plenty of times alone just us and he's fine .if he gets silly I just tell him no .
But ..with his mum he is a nightmare
He runs off .. spits. .hits ..throws things hits her and gets what he wants in shops
He doesn't listen to word no with her .
She is a good mum but she's so exhausted she doesn't have the engery to tell him off so he does as he pleases .
I've been there for her as support. Tears and all .I have tried to help potty training and even had him when she's tired so she can sleep.
I've tried to help her with advice like Time out or stickers charts but nothing.
I have my own children so when we all meet it becomes hard because we have to chase him everywhere and the kids find it hard .
Yesterday we took our kids out for dinner and because he didn't get what he wanted he threw my daughters meal all over the floor . She cried ..she's 10 .
It's frustrating. I am not judging her .
I know how hard parenting is as I have 3 of my own .
She has other children and they just sit and watch it all happen .
My friend doesn't ever tell him off .she just falls apart and gives up .
I have tried so hard to support her give her help and advice but nothing .
She also has a husband but he's always at work so he's never around .
I've told her we need a night free ..Just an evening we can have a drink or something to eat ..Just adult time .
But she doesn't . I know her husband would have them if we planned a night
As a mother I feel for her
As a friend I feel for her
But I can't do much more .. I am coming home and crying because I'm chasing him and helping her as a shoulder to cry on .
I struggle too with things..I've had issues with my heart and health so sometimes I need a friend too .
I need to moan about my kids or life on general
I need someone to talk too but because she struggles it's always me helping her.
I feel so bad moaning because parenting is hard but rules in place does help and she doesnt have any
I just don't know what more I can do x