With reference to the early starts. The snot machine can be awake from 0430 onwards, a lie in for my SIL is 0600! They've tried keeping her up, siester in the afternoon, later bedtime, but unfortunately her internal alarm always says different.
It was why it never bothered me when the snot machine came in to see me at 6 whilst we were on holiday, I used to take her to the beach for an hr or more just to give my SIL a bit of a lie in. An hr to her without the little 'un was the best rest she could have.
Oh wow - that IS early. I really couldnt cope with it. Blimey!
You are so sweet to help your SIL out like that. I am sure she appreciated it more than you could ever know