What about setting up "play dates" for your brother? He can have a friend over sometimes and he can go to a friends house sometimes. I found with my boys, that having a friend over actually makes things easier on me because they entertain each other and when he is visiting a friend it will give you some much needed time to yourself.

That's a lot on your plate at 16...I'm sorry you have to deal with all this.

Your brother can help with the housework, 9 year olds can vacuum, dust, clean up after themselves, do dishes, and loads of other things.

As far as time to hang out with your friends, can you bring your brother along?

Do you have any other relatives or neighbors (grandparents, etc) who can give you a hand during this transition? I know it sounds impossible, but I believe in you and you can do it!

Meals might need to be creative for a while - heck, when I'm stressed out my kids have a bowl of cereal for dinner and they love it! But if you can read, you can cook. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Fresh fruits and vegetables (which are so healthy for you) just need to be washed and cut up.

Hang in there hun...you can do it!