I'm just a few months on down the line from you (mine are 4.9, 2.9 and 7 months. For what it's worth I'd say I was at my lowest point when DS was about 3 months old, lack of sleep being the main problem I suppose. I was just so exhausted the whole time that I found it almost impossible to function. Things are fine now though - still pretty knackered most of the time but I no longer feel like I'm sinking and am really beginning to enjoy the way my life is now. Hugely helped by DS's sleep improving of course. Really and truly it will get better soon.

All I can say in the mean time is accept the inevitable that you have to let stuff slide, you can't do it all but the mess and disorder won't last forever, you'll get back on top of it all in due course.

I did (and still do) find a sling invaluable. With DS in the sling I can get a fair amount of things done e.g. these days DS tends to get pretty grumpy later in the afternoons so I'll often have him in a hip sling while I'm preparing tea for the older 2 - it saves having to listen to him howling if I put him down as he likes being close to me and watching what I am doing. Loading and unloading the washing machine and hanging stuff up can all be done with the baby in a sling too as can a certain amount of clearing up and tidying etc.

OP don't worry about the house or getting anything "done". It's impossible with kids your dc's ages. And ignore any hypercritical twits who slag you off about the state of the house.

My kids are 9,7, and 4 now. It's all so much easier. My house used to look like a tornado went through. I wish I spent less time worrying about the mess and coping and more time just having fun with my little babies.

Hi
I have a 5 year old, 2 year old and 8 month old. I get by using routines for pretty much everything. The main ones that the kids need to know like evening routine and morning routine (to get everyone out of the house!) are up on the wall in picture form!

we also stole an idea from my daughters school for discipline. we use traffic lights, everyones picture is up on the wall in the green light, one warning for bad behaviour and the picture is moved to the organce light. After the second warning the picture is on the red light and the child goes to time out!.

I am obsessive about planning the next day - I write a plan of the next day before I go to bedm what I need to do BUT in terms of tidying etc it is only the bar minumum. Parts of my house look as though a tornado has been through there!

I dont think that those things are all that important so dont worry too much.

just checked in to find more helpful tips and more mums struggling (which strangely makes me feel better - misery loves company I suppose!). Now must go and see what DS & DD are up to in the hall as it's gone very quiet...

honest answer: I work 3 days a week in a job I love, which allows me to afford gold-plated childcare and housework, and very occasionally, to 'do lunch' !!!. Love the kids to bits, but I need some space mentally and physically, don't think I could manage otherwise with my 5 (oldest 9, aspergers, youngest are 9 month old twins).

I have similar, 5, nearly 3 and 2 month old. It is tough. We have one of thesein the hall for shoes, hats, umbrellas etc. etc. and everyone has their own coloured drawer. I try to train the older 2 to put their shoes etc. away when they come in. It happens sometimes...

I tell myself and others that it's environmentally more friendly --to lower standards-- reduce the amount of laundry, washing and cleaning chemicals. Ditto ironing . Not so sure about throwing floor / baby wipes down the toilet though, they cause havoc with marine wildlife and block up sewage outlets. Otherwise my top tip is in sock identification: everyone has a whole pack of 10 identical pairs of socks which are unique to them. arrrrggghhh, must stop hiding on laptop (this can feel like a solution but is very short term!)...

that should read "though your 5 year..." not "tough" !

Queen, be kind to yourself, your baby is still so young. I have 5 kids, but the eldest is almost never here (18) and the others are 16,12,9 and 1. It does help having older kids to help with the youngest.
One thing I have learnt over the years is to have the mantra "this too shall pass"...it always does! Also, when my youngest was a baby, and quite fussy, to maintain my sanity I tried to keep one little area tidy - where I sat to breastfeed- so that I didn't have to look at the mess. It really did help.I also try to get into the shower and dressed before my DH leaves for work, otherwise it might not happen!I use the slow cooker for meals so that the arsnic hour isn't quite so bad.I get the kids to sort the laundry. We also have a chore rota, but I know you can't do that yet, tough your 5 year old can help with "fetching and carrying".
I hope things improve, and remember to take care of yourself.

Queen, I could have written your post a couple of years ago. Mine are now 7, 5 and nearly 3. It is much more manageable now. And you will start to find it gets easier soon as your youngest will not need to spend so long feeding each day which frees you up. And hopefully you will start getting some sleep.

I was told a time management tip once which really helps: if you have a spare 5 minutes, do a 5 minute job, eg empty dishwasher. Don't start a 10 minute job because a) it won't get finished, then b) you'll feel a failure.

I found I got loads more done during the day by using the small snatches of time to do small complete jobs.