Is anyone up I feel at breaking point and overwhelmed with guilt

[Saylethewayles]

Just that really. I feel above everything else that I'm being a shit mother to my 4.5 year old. I'm so snappy with him. He talks constantly and I can't bear it. Today he said mummy so many times that eventually I just went fgs what is it NOW and he burst into tears because all he'd wanted was to give me a cuddle and a kiss. I felt horrendous. His school will now be closed so he will be at home, both dh and I wfh in a flat with no outdoor space and I am also carer to a relative with a chronic illness. I feel I am pouring from an empty cup. I have no energy for work. I can't think of meals or cope with tidying up or cleaning.

I feel overwhelmed and can't see it getting better

@Isadora2007

its like he has to tell me every single thing that's in his head at all times Yes but he needs to learn he doesn’t. School won’t appreciate a child who think everyone needs to hear what’s inside their head. Cute when he’s a toddler perhaps but he’s a preschooler now. So it needs to stop.

I completely agree with Isadora. He is old enough to understand there doesn't need to be a constant running commentary of what he's doing and thinking, infact, he needs to learn this. I bet he manages to keep his thoughts to himself when he's at school.

I suggest trying the Calm app to see if it will help you sleep. It has worked wonders for me. There are sleep stories on it for children too.

Will he sit and listen whilst you read? If so, I’d buy a weighted blanket for yourself and a blanket for him so you can cuddle up for a story session when you feel things are getting too much. If you can tolerate it, dash some essential oil about. I find a weighted blanket calms me down within a few minutes.

Will he listen to short audiobooks? They re free on libby app from local libraries, or theres pod casts for 4 year olds.or audible.. and I dont feel so bad as they re not in front of the screen... . it gives me peace for a while.. although mine are older now..

He isn't very good with audio books, I'm the same and wondered if it was an adhd thing as I can't just sit and listen to something, I have to be doing something else at the same time or I get antsy.

Today has been a better day, a few moments when I have found myself becoming irritable but have managed to take deep breaths and hopefully speak calmly to him even if I didn't feel calm inside. We went out for a long walk too.

Ah well you're doing better than me. I seem to snap at one of them all the time.

Sensory issues with noise here too, kid chat can be unbearable. I use foam earplugs - look up how to put them in properly it makes a big difference. I can still hear what my kid is saying but it takes out a huge amount of the volume and abrasiveness so it's much easier to cope with.

Would he play Minecraft do you think? It gives both of us a real break from each other here.

It does get easier when they learn to internalise their thoughts instead of vocalising it all, but that takes a while. Mine is much better at 5 than he was at 4.