Anyone else feel guilting asking grandparents for help?

Here is my story. I am divorced and have divorced parents. I have two special needs children that I am a single parent to. It is rare that I get a break. One of my parents lives states away and isn’t able to help because of work and my other parent only lives locally 5 months out of the year, she made the decision to move with her husband after I had my kids. My mom travels a lot and has made it clear she isn’t a full time childcare option. I often piece babysitters together to make it through. I have the opportunity to go to the beach and stay for free with a friend the end of the month for a weekend. I was hesitant to ask if she could keep the kids for the whole weekend and asked if she could do it for one day and night - Saturday day and night until I get home Sunday. I have a babysitter that is able to do Friday and Friday night. I asked and her response was “ok”. Not that she would be happy to spend the time with the kids just simply “ok”. She watches them overnight maybe twice a year or three times. Anyone else so hesitant to ask their parents for help? Would love to know your thoughts.

in our community

How do you all do it?

I’ve got the best 7 month old son who is my absolute world, but I am struggling so much. How do you all manage everyday life?
Like, I wake up and he is awake so I feed change and clothe him. I need a shower but how?! I need to vacuum the house, but how?! He doesn’t sleep for longer than an hour and when he does I’m so overwhelmed with everything I need to do that I don’t know where to start.
I don’t know how to cope with not being me anymore. I miss being able to get up, shower and dress and be presentable.
Does anyone have any life saving tips?

would you still feed your 1yo this?

I wanted to make marry me chicken so I bought sun-dried tomatoes without checking the label first… Guidelines say it’s OK but I don’t know if I trust the guidelines completely

Paying a sixth of what he believes is the weekly bills rent and food..

Hi everybody, I’m a single Mam 4. My partner and I had our son four years ago we hadn’t been together very long. He broke up at me when I was pregnant and then got back with me then moved in to my house without invitation two weeks before our son was born and said he’ll give me €70 a week as a “contribution” at the time I had just had a child. I was very emotional and didn’t want to argue with him about money. I am on a loan parent payment and he is full time employed at a well paid job. I have tried to bring it up few times that it is just unfair to think that a grown man can move out of his parents house move in with a single Mum and think that his donation of what he calls is about a sixth because I should have to pay the rest because of me and my four kids. (my youngest child is his)
I do all the cooking all the cleaning I do all his washing. I have his dinner ready for him when he comes home and I buy all the stuff for his lunches, so he doesn’t have to buy food when he’s in work he just thinks I should supply it and will eat stuff I have bought for my kids for their school lunches even though I ask him not to he laughed like it’s a joke.

I find myself getting quite agressive with my children

Please be kind as I am struggling and looking for help because I hate it!
I have two young children and I don't know what's wrong with me but whenever I am going through a lot, stressed and most especially frustrated/angry it's like something takes control over me and I become very agressive with my little ones without wanting to. I shout, I grab their hand quite hard and I'm just not very gentle.
I can see how much it affects them and always apologise after and give them a hug while I explain why I did what I did. That I was frustrated, but I shouldn't have reacted that way. I haven't been kind/gentle with them.
It's just me on my own and I do find it really hard. I can't afford a sitter and have no family near me or friends. What can I actually do? Because if I carry on like this I would rather give them up. As heart breaking as it is, I often think they'd be better off with another family who doesn't have such a short fuse

Would these be safe to give to my son?

My mum bought these jelly pouches and I was wondering if they would be safe to give to my little boy? He’s 7 months old they claim to be sugar free and free of preservatives I wasn’t thinking of giving it as a sole food but to be used for more of a sensory experience but obviously that would include him putting it in his mouth just wondering what people think. I’ll post a picture of the back/ingredient list in the comment

Feel uneasy about toddler play

I sometimes feel uneasy about my toddler playing with other children because I’m worried I’m judged by other parents for our skin colour. Is this an anxiety I have or do other parents feel the same?