Help me make this easier and simpler!

[Greenandred]

Hello

I'm struggling with my job of stay at home mum to four lovely kids. We have just moved further away from school which is tipping me over the edge. Also trying to settle into a new house which needs everything doing to it. As an example, the curtains fell off the wall at bedtime this evening in my 3 year olds room!

I have a 1,3,5 and 7 year old. Eldest 2 at 2 different schools but close to each other and the drop off and pick ups are half an hour apart so I have time to get to both schools. There is a fair bit of hanging around in the cold for 20 mins with my 1,3,5 year olds waiting for my eldest to come out of school. That's sometimes difficult in this weather.

We have to leave at 8am to get to school on time. I drop off the eldest 2 at school then the 3 year old goes to nursery until 12.30.

I'm on the school run from 8-9.45. I take my 1 year old to an activity until 11 and he naps from 11-12.30.

I leave at 12 to collect my 3 year old from nursery, so from 11-12 I usually have an hour to myself. I'm lucky if I get some tidying up and laundry done in that time though!

Then it's home and lunch with the 2 youngest, sometimes with a friend from nursery. We leave again for school at 2.45. Home after collecting the eldest two at 4.30.

Homework as soon as we get in, dinner at 5.30 and bed/baths 6.30-7.30 for youngest 2. The 5 and 7 year olds stay up until 8 so we can fit in their reading.

I do the food shop on a Friday morning with my 1 year old and get the car washed. Housework only gets done at the week end but I hate wasting the week end on housework.

I know I should get a cleaner and au pair or something similar, but I struggle to have new people around. I wish I could just find a way to do it myself.

I'm shattered every day and moan and shout at kids often which I hate, but extreme tiredness - less patience.

Please help, ideas, suggestions, what makes things easier for you?

[AyeAmarok]

What's your AIBU?

[PennyHasNoSurname]

Stop the "friends round"
Do an online shop one evening after the kods are in bed and have it waiting at the "click and collect" at a time your dh can go for it on his way home from work
Can you push the youngest so he naps after the nursery pick up? Then nursery child can watch a movie or cartoon while you do a few jobs
Share chores with dh
Do you drive? A car would shorten that school run.

[Jw35]

You're a busy mum of four that's all. Stuff the housework, an hour or so a day is enough! Soon the 3 year old will be full time. Why can't the eldest 2 go to the same school? Why can't they all go to the same school?

[HumphreyCobblers]

Arrange for a cleaner to come on Friday morning whilst you are doing the school run. Or any time you are out. They will be able to get on with the cleaning, you won't have to struggle to make conversation and feel uncomfortable.

[Roseformeplease]

I have never, ever washed a car. Why on earth is that on your jobs list? Also, can you get both children in the same school?

OH? What does he do?

[RudeElf]

Can partner take over the morning drop offs? Is there any chance of moving them to closer schools? I second the online shop and have partner collect it on way home.

[RudeElf]

And yes, get a cleaner to come in one morning while you are at the activity.

[JennyOnAPlate]

Can the 3yo not do full day at nursery rather than finishing at lunch time? My dds used to to 2 full days (9 til 3) and one half day (9 til 12)