Totally exhausted from babysitting GC

i am sorry i can't offer any help but a hug and a tiny little lie, when gc goes home on the friday, call your dd on the saturday morning and tell them you have badly sprained your ankle and have to rest for a week, maybe two, use the old bones if you have to, you know...lucky i did not break it, then explain there is no way you can look after the kids, if you can have your boyfriend over at the weekend so he can be there to look after you, maybe then you can tell them how you are feeling without a full blown argument. my friend did this and it worked out well without the arguing.

Time for a major rethink EverybodyhatesMaureen makes me feel tired just reading about what you do.
Your family are taking you for granted and you are letting them, time to say no.
Consider what you feel comfortable doing in the way of childcare which allows you time with your boyfriend and for yourself.. Then sit down with your family and explain how things are going to change. You have to be clear about your expectations and theirs . Don't put up with this how ever much you love your grandchildren. Good luck.

You need to set some boundaries, and be (mostly) honest about why. Decide what you can manage/are happy to do, and tell your children. That might be two afternoons a week, and one evening a month, no overnights until the kids are routinely sleeping through the night, unless it’s an emergency, or whatever suits you. Then tell your children and explain that is what you can, and are willing, to do.

Then say no to every request for something different, without making excuses or feeling guilty.

If you behave like a doormat you will get trodden all over - sorry, but it's true. Talk to them - lay down some ground rules!

Would like to point out only 1 GC is in nursery 1 day a week. I absolutely don’t expect to be paid but I never get a bunch flowers or a meal out or even a note to say ‘thank you for your £400 per child worth of childcare each week’. Nothing. I’m sure They think they’re doing me a favour by allowing me access to their kids. My other friends don’t have this dynamic