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AIBU?

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I can't parent anymore

37 replies

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 11/11/2025 09:27

I'm done with parenting. I can't do it anymore. I know everyone will pile on and tell me what a shit mum I am and you would all be right. That's why I can't do it anymore.
Parenting a child with autism is so hard. I've spent the last 20 minutes in the shower washing and combing shit out of his hair. His bed and floor are covered because no matter what we try he will not use use the toilet (doesn't understand) or keep his nappy on.at night.
My husband cooked last night and the kitchen is now a pissing disaster area. Don't know how he fucking manages it. I've had no sleep thanks to my husband snoring.
Yet somehow I have to take my son to school, clean his room, do the shopping, wash up I can't take it anymore.
If I'd known how bad being a SAHM would be I would never have agreed to it. I loved it when my DDs were little but they didn't smear shit everywhere or have four meltdowns before 9.
I honestly feel like dropping him at school and running away. Never coming home. I do actually love my kids and husband but I think they'd be better off if I just wanted away.

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 11/11/2025 11:56

My niece has been having the same issue with her DS. As another poster mentioned the reward for using the toilet/getting nappy changed etc is sensory play. She puts dry oats or slime down for him. My DD16 has AUDHD whilst she didn’t do the smearing it has been challenging at times, especially meltdowns. Your DH is being an ass, he needs to do more, tidy up etc

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 11/11/2025 11:23

Smartiepants79 · 11/11/2025 11:14

How much help is your husband being? Because from what you’ve written here it sounds like he needs to up his game. Is he doing his share? Why didn’t he tidy up his own kitchen?
You are an incredible mother in an impossibly difficult position.
I presume you’ve tried all the anti smearing clothing options that are around?? Have you any idea how he’s getting the clothes off??

He's bloody determined and stubborn. If he wants to do something he will even if it involves ripping the seams of his clothes.
DH does help but he is working full-time which means most of the work day to day is down to me. I don't ask him to do a lot because it always ends with me getting upset and him saying he works long hours and is tired too.

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 11/11/2025 11:14

How much help is your husband being? Because from what you’ve written here it sounds like he needs to up his game. Is he doing his share? Why didn’t he tidy up his own kitchen?
You are an incredible mother in an impossibly difficult position.
I presume you’ve tried all the anti smearing clothing options that are around?? Have you any idea how he’s getting the clothes off??

itsthetea · 11/11/2025 11:14

The lack of support just makes me so cross

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 11/11/2025 11:06

Thank you for being so kind. So we have tried zipper at the back and zipper at the back with safety pins and unbelievably he still gets out of it.
He's in a mainstream school although he's in a small group but we are going through the appeal process to get him to a special school. He loves school but he doesn't do any actual learning or even engage with the other children. He's non verbal, currently going through SALT so that's another barrier.
I cried today at school (so embarrassed) but it's just got too much. There were really kind but no real support they can offer. I'm sitting in the car at the moment just thinking.
How do I keep going ? Why do I? I can't see things getting any better and that kind of crushes me. I'm so desperate for a proper break.

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 11/11/2025 10:06

The only practical advice I can give is to try putting him in a onesie with the zip at the back (effectively put it in back to front), which will stop him getting at his nappy to smear, and instead give him access to slime or play dough for the sensory seeking part. That helped a friend of mine with similar issues with her child.

Also if your partner is cooking, he cleans up after himself, you don’t need any more work creation.

It all sounds very hard, I’m not surprised you feel done with it all.

Dramatic · 11/11/2025 09:51

Gosh of course you're not a shit Mum! I'd say you feeling this way is totally normal in the circumstances you describe, it really does sound relentless and incredibly tough.

I'm sorry I don't have any practical advice, I just want you to be kind to yourself.

Jessesmum19 · 11/11/2025 09:46

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 11/11/2025 09:27

I'm done with parenting. I can't do it anymore. I know everyone will pile on and tell me what a shit mum I am and you would all be right. That's why I can't do it anymore.
Parenting a child with autism is so hard. I've spent the last 20 minutes in the shower washing and combing shit out of his hair. His bed and floor are covered because no matter what we try he will not use use the toilet (doesn't understand) or keep his nappy on.at night.
My husband cooked last night and the kitchen is now a pissing disaster area. Don't know how he fucking manages it. I've had no sleep thanks to my husband snoring.
Yet somehow I have to take my son to school, clean his room, do the shopping, wash up I can't take it anymore.
If I'd known how bad being a SAHM would be I would never have agreed to it. I loved it when my DDs were little but they didn't smear shit everywhere or have four meltdowns before 9.
I honestly feel like dropping him at school and running away. Never coming home. I do actually love my kids and husband but I think they'd be better off if I just wanted away.

I just wanted to reach out as a mum in the same position. I'm not hear to say your a shit mum it's a really hard job being a sen mum. I have two boys both autistic my youngest is very similar sounding to yours. I would love to offer support from one mum to another.
I know it can get really tough the meltdowns aren't even the hardest part but just remember it's just a way of trying to communicate how they are feeling. My boy is non verbal so he can't speak to tell me but when he's lashing out scratching and hurting me or himself I have to stay calm and tell him it's ok to be sad or cross and take his hands and squeeze them and hug him and he starts to calm.
My boy doesn't smear but he does however take his pants down and wee where ever he is so my carpets stink of wee and I'm forever scrubbing them.
Again stay calm and if you can see him trying just run him to the toilet quick I know this is hard and it will be constantly back and forth to the loo but he will get it eventually.
Speak to your husband is there any more he can do to support you at home.
Where are you based ? We have the early help team you could call from my own experience of ringing them though as I was desperate as all the lashing out was really hurting me and my arms are all scarred they basically said there's no support they could offer as we go above and beyond as parents which is a disgrace as I was desperate for help !! May be better where you are though.
Is he in school ? My son is nearly 7 and has only just got a school place but withing a few weeks we are seeing a difference in behaviour.
Just a thought on the smearing is he sensory seeking ? Could you give him a messy play tray with other things in like foam slime etc he could smear instead he could just want the feeling of doing it
I don't know if anything I've said will help but I want you to know your not alone it's a really tough job but your doing the best you can and it's ok to have a wobble your only human xxx

ComfortFoodCafe · 11/11/2025 09:40

Why cant your husband clean up? Well done on not smothering him to death with his pillow. Grin

Your not a shit mum, your exhausted. Parenting a autistic kid is a whole new level of parenting. Mine used to pooh smear i remember those days. Got to the point where I literally had a break down & pulled everything out including the carpet and jet washed all the furniture in the garden. (It was summer though so dried quickly.)
just know your not alone, fuck the tidying up. take him to school, clean the room and take the rest of the day to yourself you bloody deserve it.

TalulahJP · 11/11/2025 09:36

Youre not a bad mum. Youre an exhausted one. It must be so hard. Sending unmumsnetterly hugs 🌺

PermanentlyExhaustedPigeonZZZ · 11/11/2025 09:32

I'm so sorry you're feeling so wrecked. As a parent of SEN children who aren't as 'severe' (I don't like to use that word but can't think of a better one), you're absolutely not a shit mum. You're only one person who also needs sleep, care and support. SEN parenting is never ending, all the usual stuff is 100 times harder plus the fighting for support and advocating for your child.

Please talk to school about how much you're struggling and see where they can signpost you for support or respite etc.

I know there's so little out there but you never know. Please know the system is broken, it's not you.

Chillichicks · 11/11/2025 09:28

Is he in mainstream school?

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