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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have two older teens, one in high school, one home for winter break from college. The younger one has had multiple academic issues and fights every attempt to try and help him. The other day, my DS even said to me "If I had a child like me, I would put him in an orphanage" Other than that, he is a pretty good kid with nice friends. The older DD is a nice person, but the drama in the household increases significantly when she is home. (correcting many things we say and do, extremely critical of her brother). Christmas was alot of work as usual, but turned out nicely with everyone exchanging presents and no fighting.
But now I just feel like I'm done. I don't know what's wrong with me. I honestly just wish they would disappear (or that I could run away!). 
I was short with DD this morning and could tell it hurt her feelings and now I feel terrible.
I don't know what to say or do, and I'm glad that I have work today!

Please advise, have you felt this way? What is the best way to deal with it since running away is not an option.

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Did I write this? It describes our situation to a T, down to the genders and ages of the kids. It's exhausting and sometimes I just want to run away, too. It doesn't help that DH is extremely passive and unengaged, so my attempts to motivate younger DS end up looking like helicoptering by comparison (and believe me, I'm no helicopter, I'm thrilled with the Bs). I feel kids need parenting and boundaries, so the family copy role has fallen by default to me, and everybody loves me for it.

I don't have a magic answer, OP, just empathy. Maybe we can do a spa day together, and invite the other exhausted PP. And talk each other out of running away.

I agree with the recommendation to encourage DS get a job. This helped our DS a lot, and the grades have gone up, not down. The downside is there's no time for sports or exercise, and exercise can be helpful if your DS has depression.
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