Sonja married two years ago. My dad and I helped pay for the newlyweds’ one-bedroom apartment. We completed some improvements, and they moved into their own place. Within a year, they surprised us with the news of their pregnancy. It quickly became evident that twins were on their way. They thought about how to manage in their one-bedroom apartment with a small kitchen, no elevator on the third floor, strollers, where to fit two cribs, and where the young couple would sleep. Sonja’s spouse also travels frequently for business.

She could have handled one child, but two seemed impossible. So they requested if they might live with us for a while. Our apartment has four rooms, a freight elevator, and a clinic close by. There’s no need to climb stairs. A cleaning lady comes in a few times every week. Of course, my husband and I were not delighted, but it was more convenient for them at our house. We couldn’t refuse. We believed we could manage it. Sonja’s babies, on the other hand, were anything from calm. She did not produce enough breast milk, and not all formulas were suitable for them.

The babies were always crying and waking each other up at night. During the day, my son-in-law and his wife assisted, and in the evening, my husband and I alternated comforting them. There was no serenity in the home. Our husbands are already acclimated to it and sleep well despite the baby’ cries. But I can’t just ignore it; I hear everything and run to help. I’m sleep-deprived, and it’s harming my work. I’m the head of an entire department.

I cannot afford to make mistakes. I was intended to send an email to a client but neglected to press the submit button. The email never got through.I do not know what to do. Perhaps we should employ two nannies and relocate them into their apartment. But Sonja does not want that. My spouse proposed that we move into their one-bedroom apartment as a solution. But it would be really inconvenient for work. Would that be too much? I don’t want to bother my kid, but we’re not young anymore.