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[quote=Anonymous]My neighbor and friend recently gave birth to twins. She also has a 4yo DS and 6yo DD. She had family staying to help for a while, but they live far away and had to return home. Her husband works long hours. She has a mother's helper for a bit in the mornings (as she homeschools the older kids). But she is still (understandably) overwhelmed and exhausted.

I've offered and have helped in a lot of ways - running errands, bringing food, rallying other neighbors to bring food, etc., but what my friend really wants and needs is for me to occasionally take her older kids in the afternoons.

The problem is these kids drive me crazy and destroy my house. I have similar-aged kids, who generally get along with her kids but don't want to have them over as they always break something and when they leave it's like a tornado hit. I already Larlo-proof the house (and fridge!!) before they come, locking some doors and keeping spots off limits, but I need to still give them some space to play. Even if I hover over the four kids, these neighbors are pulling puzzle pieces from one thing while dumping out lego, finding an errant glue stick I didn't hide, etc. I've been firm with them about how to play at our house, but it's so exhausting to micromanage the entire time. Cleaning up is another story - these kids just don't want to leave and do everything in their power to stay. As in, will put a few blocks away, then one will get their shoes on, then the other will say they are helping to clean, but first one will then run back to "help" and then everyone is playing again, it's impossible to get them the heck out the door.

I don't have a car big enough to take everyone somewhere else, and it's cold where we are (outside DC area) and challenging to stay outside with everyone for more than 15 minutes (plus Larlo is a runner and we don't have a fence).

These kids are cooped up at home most of the day, I understand they are so excited to get out. But I feel so much anxiety about having them over, it takes hours for me to recover and days to find all the pieces of toys and return to proper spots. I'm not a clean freak by any means but it's just. too. much. (I don't have these problems when other kids come over to play, btw.)

This family has also suffered from some terrible tragedies over the years, I truly, truly feel for them and want to help. Please help me figure out how I can handle these kids without going crazy! Thank you!
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