not coping at the moment, late pregnancy

[pooexplosions]

I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and I'm 38 weeks pregnant. I am being a terrible mother to them at the moment. My OH works shifts and I am alone with them a lot, 5 year old has just started school and 2 year old is, lets say, taking being a 2 year old seriously and is hanging off my last nerve. I am tired, sore, skint, and unable to bring them anywhere so we are stuck in my tiny house with no garden. House is undergoing renovations to try and squeeze in new baby and is a total mess.

All they do is watch cartoons, mess around and listen to me shout at them. I'm not even feeding them properly, they are now intimately acquainted with every kind of frozen pizza known to Tesco.

I just want to go to bed and hide under the cover and let someone else deal with them. But there isn't anyone else.

Not sure if I'm looking for advice, a kick up the arse or just a vent.

[MrsVik]

hugs

Not long to go. Your kids wont be scarred for life by eating frozen pizzas and watching cartoons for a couple of weeks.

Is there a park nearby where your 2 year old can let out some energy? I know you said you're skint, but could you take him/her swimming or something?

Your kids aren't in danger and aren't suffering in any way. If you loosen the reign on your conscience a bit, you might find that your stress levels decrease and you are able to do more.

Good luck for the impending birth!

[katedan]

Give yourself a break, you are heavily PG and no harm will come to kids eating pizza and watching cartoons for a few weeks. You can make it up to them once you are back on your feet after baby has been born. And I notice you are having your house done up no wonder you are stressed. If you want constructive advice I would say books, you can sit down with them and read. Kids love to be read to and you could probably go for hours if you don't send yourself mad.

Good luck

[baskingseals]

It feels like forever to you, but it's not to them. You are not ruining their childhoods - they wont remember and certainly don't care about the amount of pizzas they eat. Just enjoy them as much as you can - I used to have lots of long baths with my 2yo when I was very pregnant. Also a bit of cooking - chocolate rice crispie cake anyone? Playing/hiding under a blanket is another one.

You're being the best mum you can and giving them a sister or brother is worth it all. These days wont last - ds2 is now 6wks - I can't really remember being pregnant. All we pretty much do now is watch tv and eat pizza or jam on toast - just to ring the changes.

Good luck

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Oh poor you.
I'm 38 weeks as well and I have a supportive dh, a 2 yo who goes to full-time nursery (and 4 yo just started school like yours) and my mum's staying! And I'm still knackered. I think you are doing absolutely brilliantly - I take my hat off to you.
There are some times in parenting when it is just so hard that you have to realistically lower your sights a bit. As long as you are getting to the end of the day and they are all still alive you are doing fine

[Toots]

What everyone else said. Do feel for you. Nearly there now.

[fandango75]

chin up don't feel bad hang on in there wishing you all the best

[smee]

Sit DH down when kids aren't around. Tell him you desperately need time to yourself. Even if it's just Saturday morning he has to take them out and let you sleep/ lounge or do whatever you need to rest. + after the birth do the same. Tell him he has to take older two at least out for half a day once a week - give yourself some breathing time and them too.

[pooexplosions]

Thanks all, feeling a little brighter today. Trying to put some order on the house as I think thats the biggest problem, I feel trapped by all the mess and stuff everywhere (that'll teach me to start a kitchen renovation at 7 months preg!)

OH is very good when he's here, but he's doing long shifts and often leaves before they are up and home late, works lots of weekends too.

I'm going to bring them to Ikea this afternoon, which gets us all out of the house, I can put the eldest in the play thing for an hour and then give them a cheap but good dinner that I don't have to make or clean up after. Sounds like a good plan all round!

Thanks again. Trying not wallow and perk up a bit, just talking about it helps a lot, cheers.