My mom and I have been taking care of my niece for a while now. It's exhausting us both and taking a tole on our mental and physical health.

My dad hasn't really been much help. He's the full time worker of the family and we appreciate that but when it's his turn to babysit, he avoids it. Usually he comes home from work about 5:15. Most nights not until 6 or 7. And when he does come home, my niece becomes an angel. She lets him lay in there and nap until it's time for my parents to swap and he goes to bed in their room while my mom sleeps in there with my niece.

Last week, my dad had a day off so my mom and I took that as an opportunity to rest. Beings she's better with my dad, he didn't need both of us to help so we slept a good bit of the day and just relaxed in our own beds. My sister (my nieces mother) came over to visit and by the end of the day, my dad sent her home with her. The reason? He was tired of dealing with her alone (but he didn't ask for help from us or his daughter). This infuriated my mother.

My dad then suggested his son come to live with us to take care of my niece. His son is almost 40 and has never had a job. He's been taking care of my niece for a few years now but he also doesn't want that responsibility.

My mom told my dad we're both overwhelmed and don't believe we can do this for much longer. At the end of the day we're all taking shots of liquid courage to settle our emotions.

Either way all of this had piled up and now my parents are having huge yelling fights and my dad has decided he wants a divorce. Overall it really sucks.