Man wants to prevent roommate hitting rock bottom
The child's father provides no support. Because of this and her schedule (she works overnight multiple days), I provide child care.
My daughter is working within the court system to force him to provide financial support, but this will be a long, uphill battle (he lives out of state and is avoiding being served).
I am overwhelmed and tired.
How do I carve out a little time for myself while still providing the support she needs?
-- Burned Out
Dear Burned Out: Like millions of grandparents, you are providing hero-help to assist in your grandchild's life. These early days are likely chaotic, but the sooner you can settle into a predictable schedule, the better for all of you.
If your daughter is working nights, you should make sure your granddaughter gets to bed at a reasonable hour, and you should use her sleeping time to rest and renew. You gain three hours of quiet time if your granddaughter goes to sleep at 7 p.m., versus going to bed at 10, for instance.
Explore options for limited daycare, including early Head Start. If the toddler can attend from eight until noon, for instance, your daughter can pick her up from there and spend time with her before her own work shift.
Dear Amy: Boohoo for poor "Excluded," whose nephew refused to attend a family wedding because it was mixed-faith.
If these people want to feel real exclusion, they should try to host a same-sex wedding. I still have bitter feelings toward the people who refused to come to my son's.
-- Excluded
Dear Excluded: I'm not surprised that you would feel this way.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
