L.
Hi J.,
I know bipolar children are hard to handle, but let me say that I have worked in social services with many diagnoses and this is the first time that I have heard of such a young diagnosis of bipolar disorder. As far as the previous mother stating to ask for meds, that is a slippery slope that you may want to be weary of.
My first suggestion is to confirm diagnosis. Symptoms of bipolar mimic other disorders, and other things as simple as food allergies, or belive it or not enlarged andnoids (glands next to the tonsils). This causes children to snore, and sometimes apnea which wakes them through the night so they never get a good night sleep. If you listen to your kids sleep and they snore, you might want to visit an ent, and an allergist or asthma specialist to find out why they are snoring. Snoring is not normal for anyone, belive it or not.
As far as needing time to yourself, yes you do. With their current diagnosis, you may be able to get respite care. Many states offer respite care for children who have extreme needs/diagnoses.
Good luck.
L.