It's OK to have crap days, right?

[Namechanged2protecttheinnocent]

I'm a single mum to one fantastic DC and I genuinely love my life, but this weekend has been a bit draining. I have very heavy periods, especially since I had a baby, and I just feel exhausted today. DC is at the age where it's back-to-back viruses all winter and I feel as though I've had no sleep and been constantly in a minor state of worry about ears/ tonsils/ coughs since November. DC just peed on the carpet despite being two inches away from the potty because she couldn't be arsed to move. And I'm supposed to write a report this weekend and I don't know where I'll find the time because DC has a stuffy nose and isn't sleeping.

This is all par for the course - I wasn't expecting every day to be a #soblessed hashtag. However, I made the mistake of telling my own mother on the phone how exhausted I am, and I got the usual guilt-trip about how she can't understand or relate to my feeling like that and aren't I glad I had DC? Etc. So now I feel like the worst mother in the world. You can be a good mum and have the occasional rubbish day, can't you?

Yes we have plenty here!
I find that a night away works wonders for your patience.

Of course you can. Dont beat yourself up

Or course

Of course it is, in all honesty, I really don't enjoy being a parent.

Yes, there are times were it's fun and I love my kids so I'd never tell them but I do wish I could escape sometimes.

It's MUCH harder and more mentally draining than I ever imagined before they were born.

I don't think you're a bad Mum at all!

*when not were

I think it's perfectly normal to have days like this, and most of us do. Maybe your mother has forgotten them! I can see why you're upset, you needed support and you just got negativity. You certainly shouldn't feel like a bad mum though

Thank you, everyone! It's a bit daft really because I'd never judge another mother for having crap days, or indeed for not enjoying small children or the whole parenting thing full stop. But I judge myself all the time (feels like I'm always hearing my mother's voice in my head!).

TBH your DM sounds like the worst mother in the world, not you.

TonTonMacoute - I probably wouldn't go that far but, yes, I should really stick to my own boundaries and never share anything personal with my mother. It always ends the same way but I'm still like Wile E Coyote, thinking this will be the time an anvil doesn't land on his head! :)

Cut yourself some slack, some days are better/worse than the others. There’s always tomorrow 🙂