My god, being a parent is so fucking exhausting !!

Mine are 10 and 7. My 10 year old has just found the joy of a lie in, but the 7 year old is up before 6am every single day no matter what.
agreed, it is exhausting.

We had those ages for Covid. Home for months on end and both of us WFH (no furlough) and no school provision. All weathers outside play. Wellies and rain suits if needed. Chores. Packed lunches and snack boxes pre prepped. Some afternoon ‘quiet time’. And the. Challenges like treasure hunt or obstacle courses. They loved repetition at this age xxx

@unlikelychump I’m actually glad you wrote this , I feel like a freak of nature as I thought the middle years ( I also have a teen ) would be a total walk in the park but it isn’t …
They argue constantly about us doing anything. Also yes they might do their own thing but this involves screens , I can’t and won’t let kids kids on screens all day as that’s deeply unhealthy.
Also I loved when they were small and we’d all get wrapped up and go for a walk on the beach or to the woods , they absolutely loved it , I loved nap time , loved how we could go for and they’d be happy with crisps . It was just a lot simpler. I do agree that sleep now is amazing and at least they don’t need constant supervision as that was totally exhausting.
We are prob just at the tricky age where our youngest is only 7 and we can’t leave all 3 home alone . I think once we can it’ll be easier as we can have a bit more of a life back. Also I’m a teacher so the second I’m off they are too so it’s either work or childcare so we are totally wreaked (no family help). Fingers crossed it gets easier @unlikelychump

Baddaybigcloud · Yesterday 19:16
Treat them like puppies. Up and out first thing for a run around - day always goes smoother. Doesn’t help with the non stop food prep though 😫

This. Our grandson is taken out every day, whatever the weather. Has been since he could toddle. Wandering about playing with sticks in the woods, at the playground on his bike, on the sand dunes with the dog, etc.

Then home and happy to play, draw, write, watch numberblocks or Bluey etc. til dinner, bath and bed at 7.

Our daughter and her husband are much more efficient, energetic parents than we ever were 😁

Yeah I remember those days op. It was tough to do it all with a smile on your face and still remain cheerful.

Its like living with Chattermax (for Bluey fans). Actually, it's like living with two competing Chattermax's right now. I want to enjoy the magic but I have a permanent headache and its just a bit much.

I used to go straight from exhausted, narky, hyper teenagers to exhausted, whiny, hyper small children. Felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown for years.

They are now teens.

If I didn't lure them out of their rooms with fancy chocolate and Xmas films, I wouldn't see them at all. Although one of them is going to do my eyelashes for me, if I do her nails!

Definitely this! I was a single Mum to my 2 and working f/t. My mantra was a walk or water. Luckily I live by the sea so it was often both but if we were stuck inside they’d go into the bath with plastic cups, whisks, a colander and loads of plastic bottles ( I saved them up). Chuck a bit of shampoo in each one and get them making ‘potions’. I spent many long rainy afternoons drinking a cuppa on the bathroom floor, whilst they had 2 hour baths! You’re in the trenches now but it gets easier I promise!

As someone who couldn't have children, I read these threads and think I dodged a bullet. Christmas is sometimes a time when I think of what might have been. I read all this and think of my nice peaceful Christmas and feel much better.
I would have hated it.

Those ages are hard! They still need so much supervision and input from adults. My son was like the bloody duracell bunny at that age!
Definitely agree with take them out to a park/field or go swimming if you can - you need to tire them out.

It will get better- my son is 11 now and it's so much easier. For me, the holidays are more peaceful because we don't have to dash off to swimming 3 times a week (club swimmer). He is much more independent- can get his own breakfast/drinks/snacks etc. Understands if I need to do a job etc.

Only thing for me is the amount of food he consumes 🤯🤯

With hosting- lower your expectations, just do what you can. Chances are, no one will notice what you haven't done.

Good luck!

Well they’re small enough to be picked up and taken or put where you want them. You’re the boss!

Do they? You'll have to let my 2yo know because he hadn't received that particular memo yet 😂

The teenage years (I have daughters) have nearly broken me. And a more stoic single parent you couldn't meet.

Just sayin'

Yes. 🙌 have a 2yo.

I had barely registered the run up to Christmas with work and childcare. There is no time to do anything and my house is so much messier than I want it to be 😭 Just finished wrapping all gifts after a 3h session earlier tonight.

I enjoy Christmas build up the most and feel a bit sad it has passed me by a bit this year.

Everyone can you tell you it’s tiring till they are blue in the face … but you just don’t understand till you have kids how overwhelming and overstimulating it all is

I’m a single parent. I’m physically disabled (as in severe chronic pain and I cannot walk far) and my son has severe adhd and autism so it’s a horrible mix as I cannot keep up with him. I can’t take him out due to my disablity and if he runs off into roads (without fail he does), I physically cannot run after him so it’s safer to stay home. But I’m in a flat with no garden so he runs riot and destroys everything indoors. It’s an exhausting existence. It’s now half 12 and he’s still not asleep. Last night was 1.15 in the morning and he never sleeps earlier than 11pm. I’m exhausted.

I cannot imagine how people cope with more than one child, I’m one of five and I have no idea how my mum done it!

Taking my 4 year old doesn't make much difference. It seems to give him more energy!

My new favourite game is visiting his hair salon. I sit on the floor for half an hour while he brushes my hair and chats about all his customers. I even get to look at my phone while he disappears to find more 'equipment' and to check on his new customers who are nearly here now mummy! Bliss.

In my view the teenage years are far far harder!!!!!

The worry, stress and sleepless nights with teenagers can be exhausting!

Cut all the corners!!!!!

Try and keep things as simple as possible.

Delegate anything you can. Shelve your pride and ask for help.

Let them play in their pjs all day

Sandwich, fruit and yogurt is an ok lunch. If the weather is dry, go out and eat it sat on a bench. Saves cleaning. Take a flask

Yup. That’s why this year we aren’t hosting. It’s tiring enough as it is

Well yes. That's what it like though! Soon enough they'll be more self sufficient and soon after not want you in the same room as them and you'll look back at this time with nostalgia.

Honestly, what on earth were you expecting ? Surely this should not be a surprise unless you come from another planet?

I agree with getting them out like pups in the morning….this is how I survived covid!

And also why all inclusive holidays aren’t great but a needed so you actually get a break from something otherwise it’s just parenting in a different location.

Same here, my teen is not speaking to me today, I know it's not easy for them but the relentless resistance is so exhausting....

I'm having a great time with my 4 year old but we're not hosting so I can just focus on us. Although he is way too excited so he's falling asleep later than usual and my evenings have shrunk.