Good on you! Completely sensible. I think a whole day is way to hard for most people - perhaps if you are really wanting to help you could offer to duck over there one night when the kids are in bed so they can do something else? You do have to take care of yourself and your family too - especially if it is one way traffic. I have a friend who whilst struggling expects a lot from everyone else and yet never helps others out which is quite draining. xxx
PS If someone is helping out etc I would not expect to impose my routines of sleep/tt on them -should be made as easy as possible for the helpers.
Her children wont sleep without her so even she has said its not an option, even though I would prefer nights when they are asleep.
I totally get where you are coming from, don't think I could manage either. But, it sounds like your friend really needs a bit of time out... Is it possible for you to just take them for a couple of hours to give her that?
I would for a hour or so, but she wants to go out for the whole day.