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any one else tired, emotional and alone tonight?

26 replies

onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 19:14

... the topic says it all

Trying desperately to adhere to routine with DD when really just want to curl up and sleep.

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mrsdisorganised · 01/02/2009 19:41

bumping for you

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anothermum92 · 01/02/2009 19:41

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N1 · 01/02/2009 19:47

I can say that I am alone.

Perhaps not to tired though and not emotional.

If I do get emotional (as in upset) I tend to go swimming. After swimming, I visit one of my friends for half a day and the distraction tends to be enough for me. Obviously I don't have a child with me full time.

have you got the energy to get a good comedy DVD and watch that? I know watching TV by yourself is not to nice, but it's better than nothing.

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elmoandella · 01/02/2009 20:19

i get like this if i've spent an emotional day due to arguing with exdp. not sure if this is in your case.

but if so.. i find the best thing is to get off to bed as soon as lo's are. put end to a bad day. tomorrow is another.

take them one day at a time. they get easier as you and dc adjust.

are your dc particularly young and still getting up thru the night?

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onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 20:22

DD is 2 - I have to sit with her and stroke her face til she falls asleep and then she gets up 3 times a night then ends up in my bed about 3 am...every night

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elmoandella · 01/02/2009 20:26

this poor sleeping habit is whats making you feel even more emotional and physical drained.

is she in a bed or cot?? is there stair gate on her room if she's in a cot?

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onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 20:33

she's in a junior bed, and no stair gate on her room (but is at top of stairs)

Tried controlled crying, it worked after 4 nights of screaming and sick but then she was poorly over christmas and we are back to bad habbits and I cant face CC again.

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littlemissflylady · 01/02/2009 20:35

hello! i agree with elmo and della, i find myself going to bed at least once a week at the sme time as Ds ( also 2). it took me a while to get him into a routine but well worth sticking too. plus being tired will make you feel more emotional...i go the opposite way and get really ratty!
i still sit with my son untill he falls asleep, but over the past few months we have progressed to being able to settle himself of a night the first couple of times but does occasionally end up in with me.
keep going with it they soon get the message.
hugs to you!

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WheresTheAuPair · 01/02/2009 20:36

Yes that's me tonight. Had an emotionally draining day with DH over for his weekly visit to see the DS's. As it was cold he stayed in the house here all day. Like a miserable black thundercloud. Now he's gone he seems to have projected all that onto me.

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elmoandella · 01/02/2009 20:36

do you still have monitor in her room?

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onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 20:40

no monitor - XP has it lol for OW kids.

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elmoandella · 01/02/2009 20:41

do you have a stubborn mother or relative who could sit out the CC and hold your hand? iykwim?

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littlemissflylady · 01/02/2009 20:47

i still have a monitor in DS's room. i tried the control crying thing...it upset us both and set me back. i dont mind settling him the first time...its only if im there for an hour, were now on bout 10 mins, including reasding 3 books!
keepgoing and do what is best for you...not a book!

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elmoandella · 01/02/2009 20:50

i'm a bit stubborn so i just zone out and go up periodically and it's usually cracked the first night. wether it's getting up thru night/dummy removal or anything else. lol

but i would not do it if lo was unwell/teething or upset in any way.

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anothermum92 · 01/02/2009 21:36

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onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 21:41

thank you all for your help tonight, I'm just fairly cut off from my support net work at the moment. Most of my friends have husbands / partners and at the weekends I feel like I intrude on their "family" time.

Time for another cup cake... and a cup of T

Don't feel much like sleep x

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anothermum92 · 01/02/2009 21:59

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onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 22:35

yes, indeed - it would be so nice to find some one in a similar situation to me so we could team up. My singly mummy friends all have free time as their DC's go off to their dad's house at the weekends etc, DD and I don't do that - so I have no free time away from DD apart from when Im at uni and she goes to nursery.

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littlemissflylady · 01/02/2009 22:40

i understand you completely about the whole family time thing...some of my girlfriends have started dating recently and for one of them things have moved really quickly and so he is there all the time, picks kids up etc for her, so i now ask before she asks if i want to do something if he will be going. i think she must think i dont like him, hes a nice man but i dont want to be the third person.
i also get the being so tired but not wanting to sleep...sometimes its nice to have 5 mins to yourself. but like i said i always make 1 night a week to go to bed at same time as DS or sometimes an hour later, it makes me a much better person! lol!
hope your support nework picks up soon.
take care, it will pass.
xx

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onlywantsone · 01/02/2009 22:42

do any of you use facebook?

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N1 · 02/02/2009 01:02

Children strive on routine. Well most do.

I would suggest that you try to find as many "triggers" as you can to show the child that it's bed time.

On TC, there is a song sending children off to bed. That could be the start, then the process should be exactly the same each night, Song, brush teeth, use toilet, into bed, read a story, sing a good night song, cuddle kiss and light off.

Before the TV good night song, there should be a process as well. Eat at the same time, Bath and pajamas on....or what ever.

Keep to the same process and don't vary from that. The process should be predictable for the child so they know what's next.

A child who is unsettled could be feeling unsure and be wanting reassurance. They are not sleeping solidly at night so could be waking up partly tired. Tired children tend to be more irritable and less patient, which doesn't help your situation.

A patient child might listen a bit more when you explain something.

Also, if you allow the child to eat sweets or chocolate in the afternoon and evening, the sugar gives the child a bit more energy which they might be better off having in the morning (if at all). If the child wants a drink (bad habit), give the child water or a sip of water.

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anothermum92 · 02/02/2009 08:37

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onlywantsone · 02/02/2009 09:35

i cant CAT you but search for me emily benton

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anothermum92 · 02/02/2009 15:00

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onlywantsone · 02/02/2009 17:05

close up of face - looking up towards the camara

LOL - lots of us Emily's...

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