Is this what burnout feels like

[Youstolethewholeofthemoon]

Apologies for the ramble but I've no one in RL

A single parent to 3 DC, eldest is 7 and youngest 18 months

I work 24 hours a week, have one day off per week and weekend

Tuesday weds and Thursday evenings are spent ferrying the DC to various activities

My house looks like an absoutle bomb site, I have 0 motivation or energy to do do anything (I just about manage the basics like food shopping and washing) have also got 6 pets, all of which are ex dps but he lives with his parents so can't have them there and works away the majority of the time so isn't much help practically - also has to live his life (his words not mine as I chose to have DC 🤦‍♀️) whilst I am lumbered with doing absoutley everything and I'm exhausted

I never have a break from my DC except when I'm at work and I literally just want cry, bedtime for the youngest DC has become a constant battle - I've even resorted to co sleeping just to try and keep what's left of my sanity

I really want to lose some weight and get fitter so started doing the at home work outs but seem to have lost all motivation and energy for those too

My GP solution is to increase my dosege of my anti depressants whenever I speak to them which Is not an ideal solution and i feel as tho they just help me function

Thanks for reading if you have got this far

Please dont put the animals on Facebook free to good home like the stupid suggestion above...none of this is their fault and they deserve to be rehomed properly.

For the pets either borrow or hire a van for a day and take them to his parents house or a rescue place. Rescue place might pick them up or recommend how to rehome them.

Just jumping on to say you are amazing OP. If you can cope with all of this you can cope with anything. Let the pets go though and try and relax and pat yourself on the back once in a while. Agree re build a meal so everyone gets their version of the main meal and not worrying about super clean clothes. Definitely take a few days off to declutter and get the house in a state so you find it relaxing in the evenings. You can do this look what you have already achieved x

Are you having to pay for the pets as well? Those vivariums cost a lot to heat. Seriously - give him a weeks notice to collect them or you're selling the pets (and keeping the money for a full house clean perhaps)

It's ok to ask for help - is there another nice parent who would give your DC a lift to rainbows etc? I always used to do this for friends who had toddlers so they wouldn't have to be up late to collect their siblings

You have too much on your plate. Ex Dh needs to step his responsibilities and have regular hours that he had children Independently. He also needs to rehome the animals. Tell him strictly that he has until the end of the month to sort something out.

You are exhausted - please do not try to be a perfect mum with a clean house. As well as the pets, Look at things you can let go to make life easier. Simple tea a couple of times a week - which is a selection of picnic stuff in bowls on the table that everyone helps themselves ie. Crackers/cheese/fruit etc or jacket potatoes with bowls of beans/cheese/coleslaw.

Let the children watch TV, don't worry about bathing every night.

Thanks so much for all your helpful suggestions, feel completely overwhelmed reading them all but need to take this one day at a time

Yes I've got to pay for their heating etc, I am getting through £20 of electricity every two days (pre payment meter and an't change to DD at the moment) which is not sustainable

In an ideal world he would have them regularly but I have come to the realisation I can't force him to be a parent

I feel so disappointed in myself with how my life has become.

OP there's some brilliant advice here. Use it as a guide.
Remember this is a temporary situation.
Remember you are a hero, look what you handle every day. I applaud you. You won't see it now but you will look back one day and wonder how you accomplished all that you do.

Thankyou so much, honestly it means a lot

@Youstolethewholeofthemoon how are you getting on?