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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Op here. I honestly don’t think I can handle this. I’ve just finally started my life outside of the caretaking of our children back up again. Our kids are older and more responsible, but still never will be “easy” children. They are very opinionated, sensitive and stubborn too.. I have taken on other adult responsibilities.

I wanted to be that go to favorite aunt, so yes I go the extra mile. But now I’m just older, in my 50s and I’m tired. All our kids are gifted, which brings extra challenges. I’ve been diagnosed with adhd, and I get easily overwhelmed and exhausted.

I feel disappointed in myself for failing to meet their expectations and my own expectations.

It also didn’t help that this was just a “pleasure” trip for the parents. And part of me is disappointed in myself that I felt guilted into it and didn’t know my limits.

I mean nothing terrible happened. I just feel utterly drained, exhausted, and resentful, and I feel like a crappy person for not having warm and fuzzy feelings toward my nephew after a week of dealing with his shenanigans.

And to top it off, everybody here is dumping on me about how dense I am and unreasonable I am. [/quote]

You sound like an enormous drama queen. Not cut out for what? For watching your 4 year old nephew while also raising your own kids? You get that most people would simply not do this right? I have 6 nieces and nephews and I've babysat for all of them but I wouldn't have had any of them to stay with us for a week at age 4 because it just sounds like a bad idea.

They can't force you to watch their kid. Just say no. You are acting like a martyr -- making a huge deal out of wanting to do this and then dramatically complaining that it's too much. And then sitting around complaining about how they are terrible parents and so your unhappiness with this situation that you 100% chose for yourself is entirely their fault.

Just don't do this again. The end problem solved.

But you don't have to sit around criticizing ALL only children or parents of only children to try and make yourself feel better. Guess what some people have onlies because they have secondary infertility and can't have additional children. Other people stop at one for financial reasons or because they discover they have limits and don't think they can parent additional children well. Lots of only children are wonderful and lots of parents of only children are working hard to set limits and give their kids what they need (including saying no and teaching them to play well with others). Just because you had a bad week with your nephew is not a reason to go posting on the internet about how all only kids must be terrors.[/quote]

Wow this was entire higher level of extrapolation and hyperbole. I never said the parents were bad parents. And I never criticized all only children. Stop putting words in my mouth.[/quote]

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