I'm drowning

[pancakesallday]

I'm not sure I can do this for much longer.

I have 3 kids, primary age. Dad's not in the picture. They are really, really hard work for no obvious reason. No SN. Well behaved at school and with others. I pick them up from school and they are horrific. They talk over each other constantly. Argue. Moan. Complain. Demand. It's so so intense and it's not getting any better. I dread school pick up time.

Evenings are such hard work. There's no one to help with bedtime, reading and all the rest of it. The list of chores is neverending.

Mornings are hit and miss. They are in theory able to do everything with little assistance... in practice I have to constantly tell them what to do and push them along.

It's so, so draining. So intense and relentless. There is no coparent and I don't have any family. Money is tight. I dread the holidays. I want to disappear sometimes.

I don't think I'm depressed. It's just that my life is reduced to constantly negotiating with small children. I am not depressed on the rare occasions I get to enjoy myself and have some peace.

Wow, you have your hands full and I really admire you. It sounds like such a challenge, but they are so lucky to have you. All I can think of is to try to prepare little activities/tasks for each to keep them occupied/distracted from annoying each other. Sending a virtual hug and wishing you the very best 🤗

That sounds very hard😞

Do you have family? Do you work?

Christ that is hard op, no wonder you are struggling so much. Im sorry

Op said she has no family.

I would have a time table dress at X time, shoes on ax time etc.

If they do it they get an incentive- stickers, Pom pons in a jar, screen time. What ever works.

Argueing, give a warning. If ignored issue a consequence- loss of screen time, time out etc. Don't make it massive say 10 minutes. But do it each time.

Try to give them each individual time even if it's just 15 min each reading.

Get them helping with chores, they each have their own responsibilities