Do they ever think that if I have a bit of help I will save the state a fortune?

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

For example, if I could have two special toilet seats for DM, so that I wasn't carrying the seat up and downstairs all the time, as well as going out to work, marking 30 school books every night, looking after my family, etc, I would be less likely to give up altogether and put my mother into a nursing home, put my child in care, rehome my pets and lie on the sofa with a wet towel on my head for the next two weeks.

Or put yourself up for (virtual) adoption?

The autumn term is the worst. My daughter, first year sixth form, is exhausted and longing for half term. No different to when she was in reception. She will then take her established position lying on the sofa watching Netflix. Could you put the lot in respite care and do the same!

Needmoreeleep; yes yes yes to being adopted .... please can someone look after me???

Desperately, on a more practical note, yes, I have had a carers assessment, and there is a local 'listening group' ... at 10am on a Wednesday when I am at work.

I have been told this morning that I may have another toilet frame ... if I pick up a prescription, then drive 20 miles to pick it up from the hospital stores. If I can fit it into my car.

I don't quite know how to point out that I am very close to the edge ... when I go out I look OK, I think. It's just when I am at home, struggling to get the blasted thing up and down narrow cottage stairs. And have been awake all night with sick DD ... this morning I shouted at her for coughing while reading her reading book to me. It was every third word though.

And I get a subsidized hour every day when I am at work to give my mother lunch.

And I know that I am complaining far too much and there are others far worse off than I am ... really. I just needed to say it.

And thank you both for listening.

Subsidized hour of time to pay a carer from an agency, I mean.
Sometimes they are fantastic and even feed the rabbit and hang out the washing at the same time, while yesterday someone obviously did come in, because I found a cold cup of black tea - which she has never drunk - by my mother's chair. Even though I had left everything ready. Which is not exactly help.

Now that really is the end of moaning!

Oh darling, you are doing an amazing job, and its the small, unthinking stuff that drives you over the edge.

The whole frame and seat is £20 on Amazon if just buying one would be easier?

YANBU, my DSIS cares for my DPs and is shit.

And she is incredibly lucky, she lives in a rural area where the district nurses do seem to be able to get commodes and hospital beads reasonably swiftly.

They have still bought wheel chairs etc for DM and juggling taking DDad to hospital 50 miles away with work and not leaving DM on her own is a nightmare.

You've just reminded me I'm supposed to be going over to look after her. It's a two hour drive there (and two hours back).

hi CMOT ... been following the story of your dogs .... and my daughter has only just grown out of the jodphurs you sent us!
Never thought of Amazon ... Don't seem to be very bright at the moment. And you're right about the silly little things just being the final straw.
Elephants, at least I don't have to travel ... that must take up your whole day. I quite enjoy a long drive as being peaceful time out ... with a story CD ... Can you do that?

Do you want some more jods? DS is so tall now!
Amazon is my secret weapon - mum loses her crutches, dad needs inco pads, mum blows the microwave up again? Amazon delivers next day . I'd never thought about the sheer range of stuff they have until I needed a urinal for dad

Jods are wonderful ... as much use for climbing trees as for horse riding. DD hates hard clothes like jeans and goes through leggings in approx. 10 minutes ... so yes, lovely, would love some. What can I send in exchange?
Haven't quite got past thinking of Amazon as a book shop ...