Just finished my third 7 day solo parenting week and I’m fucking knackered

[DonaldDucksTowel]

I don’t think my thread title makes sense, sorry I couldn’t make it sound right

Basically my DP has worked 7 days a week for the last three weeks now and is scheduled to do the same for the rest of November, then 6 day weeks in December and back to 7 day weeks again in January

We have 4 DC aged between 9 years and 9 months and I am absolutely fucking exhausted

I don’t know if I’m going to be able to realistically do this until the end of Jan

My 7 year old had an epic tantrum yesterday and for the first time ever I rang DP at work and cried down the phone because I just couldn’t fucking be arsed with it

I don’t know how single parents do it I really don’t and I’ve already told DP if we ever split up he’s having the kids full time 🙈

I really need a break

No point to this post, Just a bit of a self indulgent moan really
Life is hard

Bit of a moan* not a loan 🙄

No. Just take a day off.

To prepare you need to have 3 lazy meals.

1. Cereal.
2. Pizza.
3. Packed lunch picnic tea you have made the day before.

Get up. Make a cup of tea. Do bare minimum.

Nothing. Do nothing.

Decide in your head you are doing the bare minimum.

Usually by 4pm you have enough energy and are bored of the mess.

But the rest is helpful and a rest.

But you have to take your 'day off' seriously or it won't work.

What's the deal with his job? Is there any hope he could change jobs or hours at some point?

Incidentally, my husband is very hands on and always around at weekends and we only have one child, and I've weeped in despair about parenting loads of times!

With four kids including a baby and no respite in sight I genuinely think I'd be in a very extreme state. Although I did realise that early on, hence only having one. Hats off to anyone with more than one! Especially anyone on their own or with not much help!

And buy non iron uniform.

It sounds pretty relentless, OP, and after such a shit of a year, I'm not surprised you're on your knees.

Sending sympathy op, I’d be in pieces if my dp worked away and we only have two. although if I could get the baby to bed before midnight it would make a pretty bloody enormous difference. Some days I can’t believe we are really planning more.

I do feel for you OP. I was a lone parent to my three DC, with no breaks, for many years. I set my own routine, but enjoyed the flexibility of not having to get home to cook a meal for when a man got home.
It's hard work and exhausting but I went to bed when I wanted to and didn't have to be sociable in the evenings.
If your DP is going to work this way you have to put yourself first and he'll have to fit in with whatever routine works for you.