Does anyone else feel this overwhelmed?

[ChillingInMyDressingGown]

Maybe I've just had a bad day and I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I work p/t 4 days a week in a high pressure job. I've been back from maternity leave for 8 months. Don't want to go into too much detail but most of the people I work with are vulnerable, elderly, MH issues, substance abuse, DA victims. My days are long and there is always something more I could be doing. For example today I started at 8:30am and finish at 6:30pm however work shorter hours on the odd day. I'm currently doing some days in the office but mostly working from home still, although I think that could change in the future.

I have a toddler who is still breastfeeding and sometimes wakes through the night or decides its time to wake at the crack of dawn. DH does his fair share when he's home, but he works shift work, so some weeks more falls on me than others. He cooks, does the washing. I can't fault him.

I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day and failing miserably at keeping my head above water with work, the home. I'm just exhausted all of the time, I just feel run down and overwhelmed with everything.

I just needed to get all of that out.

Sorry to hear you're overwhelmed, I think unfortunately it happens to most of us at some point.
Are there things you can afford to do alleviate some of the stress from your life? If you can afford it would having a cleaner take some of the domestic duties off your plate?
Would you consider moving to cows milk for your toddler so you can share the bedtime feeling routines?

I feel the same OP. I work part time (part office, part home) . Single parent, 2 young primary DC. Job is also stressful, as working with vulnerable, chaotic, People, substance misuse, offenders, you name it . I am struggling at work, and at home I don't kniw hiw other people do it.

@bowerino could definitely look at a cleaner once a week. Unfortunately she won't drink warm cows milk, I tried before returning to work to see if it would help her with napping but she refuses and I don't think she's ready to fully wean yet. Things will be a little easier when bedtime can be shared. Occasionally if I'm not there she will go to sleep but that's only been a handful of times.

@ImFree2doasiwant at least I know it's not just me. I just feel like there aren't enough hours in the day.

That's a lot to cope with. I honestly don't know how people manage with young kids and demanding work, I take my hat off to you. As your child gets older, it's not as demanding physically, so that is something. Can you take a career break at all? I know that isn't always possible of course! I ended up forced to give up my job as I became very ill due to trying to be a working parent. Don't push yourself.

I work similar hours in a similarly challenging role and can empathise
Random, but have you heard of vicarious traumatisation? We’re doing some stuff with it in work soon, as we hear a lot of emotionally tough stuff and we’re all feeling a bit overwhelmed at the mo.

@beattieedny I think if my job was less demanding I would cope. I couldn't afford a career break, I wish I could lol. I reduced my hours slightly so I could afford an extra day off but my hours are not far off full time. But I definitely take on board what you're saying, if the pressure became too much I would consider taking a period of sickness if I absolutely had to.

@WorriedMillie I had not heard of it. But I just googled and definitely is a possibility in my job. I get a lot of people given for me to work with as I'm more compassionate than some of my team which is a huge pressure because I end up listening to horrific details and I'm not someone who can easily distance myself from cases.

Oddly, although working is stressful, its usually the tie I get to be me/an adult, instead of mummy. It's a break from the home stuff. I get to use my brain. But, when work goes to shit (ut us currently,so unbelievably short staffed,increase I'm cases and ridiculous amounts of paperwork/record keeping for government figures) I start to sink.

I dobt know what you do OP ,but we used to get "average/normal" cases with a sprinkling of more complex ones. Now,just about every single cases complex. Itsvery draining.

Stop breastfeeding. Your child doesn't have to be "ready", they may never be, this is entirely your decision.

@ImFree2doasiwant I love working, its nice not to be mummy constantly. But I'm definitely experiencing the same as you. There are so many more complex cases. I don't know if the pandemic is to blame or it's just coincidence. Strange.

@HellToTheNope She may not be ready for some time. I will think about stopping soon. But it's difficult to consider when there are weeks when I'm the only one there to do bedtime. We might have to try a time when DH has some time off.