Sonja got married two years ago. My parents and I contributed to a one-room apartment for the newlywed couple.
We did some renovations and they moved into their own apartment. Within a year, they delighted us with the news of pregnancy. It soon became clear that twins were on the way.
They thought about how they would cope in their one-room apartment with a small kitchen, no elevator on the third floor, a stroller, space for two cots and where the young couple would sleep.
In addition, Sonja’s husband often goes on business trips. She might have managed it with one child, but with two it seemed impossible. So they asked if they could stay with us for a while.
Our apartment has four rooms, a freight elevator and a clinic nearby. No need to climb stairs. A cleaning lady comes several times a week.
Of course, my husband and I were not happy, but it was more comfortable for her with us. We couldn’t refuse. We thought we could handle it. But Sonja’s babies weren’t calm.
She did not produce enough breast milk, and not all types of formula suited her.
The babies were constantly crying and waking each other up at night. My son-in-law and his wife helped during the day, and in the evening my husband and I took turns calming her down. There was no peace in the house.
Our husbands have already gotten used to it and sleep through the babies’ cries. But I can’t ignore it; I hear everything and rush to help. I suffer from sleep deprivation and it affects my work. I manage an entire department.
I can’t afford to make mistakes. I was supposed to send an email to a customer, but I forgot to press the send button. The email was never sent. I do not know what to do. Maybe we should hire two nannies and let them move into her apartment.
