Can anyone give me some tips on coping with the practicalities of life with two little ones?
I have a 12 m.o. and 3.10 y.o. I have (undiagnosed) chronic fatigue and find the practicalities of life very difficult. My boys and I have some complicated health problems which make things harder eg all our food needs cooking from scratch and takes a really long time to prepare.
Most of my spare time is taken up by researching our health issues and trying to find people to help us since the NHS doesn't deal with our problems as an identified 'package' of issues.
I am finding it really difficult to cope with the basics of food prep, laundry, keeping on top of basic organisation in the house.
I am very, very tired and rarely get to bed before 1am as there's just so much to do. The baby doesn't nap well - never for more than 40 mins and usually only in the sling, and then only if we're staying at home. He's in the horrible phase where 2 naps are too many and 1 isn't enough. He usually doesn't get to bed till 9pm or so due to a late second nap. DS1 is at home with me full time - nursery is not an option for various reasons.
My parents come & help for an afternoon a week, and my PIL come every week or two, but it is only limited help as I don't really get any extra time - though it does give the boys more attention and proper playing time. DH helps as much as he can but when he's home a lot of his time is spent with the boys as I don't get to give them much time or attention during the week.
We do get out of the house to the park for a short while most days, but we simply can't manage to get out to any groups. We have a couple of friends with similar aged children who each come over every week or two but apart from that I don't get much company. We spend a lot of time doing the shopping.
Any advice on how to handle the practical side of life?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.
Parenting
Struggling with practicalities of 12 m.o. & almost 4 y.o.
49 replies
AngelDog · 29/10/2013 12:10
OP posts:
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.