[Cloudbringer]

I don't have kids of my own, but have done my fair share of sitting with them and helping friends as well as working with them at church. I sympathize with your frustration! I know it's a thousand times harder when you can't just leave them with 'mom' and go home, like I can. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Had you considered looking into 'parent' groups or 'play' groups in your area? Sometimes they have deals where the moms/dads in the group take turns watching each other's children for a day or a half day. It helps the parents because they get a break and it helps the kids because they learn to get along with other kids AND to deal with another adult's rules. You could ask at local churches or check the local paper or yellow pages. Maybe the local nursery schools would have a list of such groups too, you never know! Another possibility is to call your pediatrician for ideas and he/she may know of parent/play groups in your area as well.

Good luck! It really does sound like you need some time off. Can you hire a babysitter for a few hours and go out to dinner? Even if it's just McDonalds!?