Mothering has worn me out the last 12 months.

[Carryonsleeping]

The last year has completely worn me down being a parent. Four dc from 8-19, all doing ok, but the relentlessness of school closures and children being home 24 hrs a day mostly, cooking, tidying, homeschool, supporting them etc with no respite from the drudgery has made me feel like I’m losing it.
They all help out but the mental load all falls on me. DH is good too, but he works a lot and is feeling it too. My patience is low and things seem to irritate me much more.
I know things are getting better, but I feel like I’ve hit such a low point, the climb to enjoy life again seems massive.
Anyone else feel the same?

@HappyAsASandboy I really feel for you. When the first ‘I’m bored’ comes before breakfast it is somewhat crushing. I know what you mean about feeling forever changed.

happy I worry that I might not be the same again. Or I’m forgetting who I actually was before this. I think it will take a fair amount of time after lockdown has eased before I can be myself again. A bit like after having a baby, it takes a good while to feel yourself again.

@Carryonsleeping I worry about the exact same thing. I was vibrant, interesting and fun before this. I am a shell of that now

I keep warning people I have zero chat now. I’m going to be a shit night out for anyone.

I actually feel about traumatised by it, but I feel ashamed as we were lucky and safe and had jobs. But home schooling x3 on top of a job.. plus my partner did NOTHING to help - I literally mean nothing, he didn't look at the school website, didn't help figure out the nightmare that is teams, nothing, I do feel a bit broken and I don't know how to fix it. Does anyone have any ideas?!

I feel very lucky I’ve been able to work throughout and see my colleagues every day. I’m a single parent and had I not been working I would have been stuck at home with just the children for all these months. It is still incredibly draining though, having to check they’ve done all their school work when I get home, dinner and online food shop and nagging them to help a bit with tidying up.

Very much miss my friends and doing the things we used to do. Luckily I could bubble with my family after first lockdown so it has meant the children have had somewhere else to go but they are fed up of not seeing their friends. My children are two at secondary age and also two adults, although the adult children have moved out. Very grateful I didn’t have younger children during the last year.

corona I think mums will be one of the last to be ‘fixed*. The children and their needs will come first, but getting them through this is draining me.
Like you I feel a little bit traumatised by it all. Just very depleted and tired and not sure where to start to fix myself. I’m not a drinker and I don’t take medication, but sometimes I feel I need something! I’m hoping that when shops etc reopen, I get a haircut and a manicure and start to do little things for me (however simple!), then I’ll feel a bit better.
The sitting outside in a field or on a park bench just does not appeal at all. It’s quite cold here.

I agree it’s the little things. Being able to have a blow dry, pedicure or manicure, meet up for coffee, or have a little shopping trip. Sunday lunch in a pub. A pilates class. All little pleasures that just make life more pleasant.

It’s horrendous for young mums having no baby and toddler groups for over a year. It must have been so isolating I really feel for them.

Yes.
My daughter had 5 bloody days back at school between mid December and the easter break.
Finished a week early in December as no teachers for her year 🙄
Returned a week later than all other years 🙄 in for 5 days. Then bubble burst... So off for 4 weeks including Easter break. Home school was shit except for history. Excellent teacher 👍
It's not natural for her to be just with me for so long. Im clinging on so I'd rather she had the option to go to school. Only child no other family with kids her age. Her appetite has plummeted and her exercise level is zero.... In part due to intermittent pain after 2 foot surgeries. We're just not interested in food. But I'm getting fatter as comfort eating numbs it all.
No holidays. No fun. She's glued to the screen. Builders building new houses next door. Noise off the scale. No escape. Wfh in an awful job with awful unsupportive managers who do not understand and cannot do my job.
Only positive = got house job enough money atm.