Finding parenting so challenging and also boring 😩

[Eddiehollymillie]

My kids are almost 6, 4 and 1 and I’m finding the variety in ages really tough atm. DD3 desperate to walk so just moans all day bless her. DS1 is of course at school in the week, loves bike riding and football etc but DD2 isn’t in to the same as him. She likes hurly things and colouring. Every weekend I sit trying to think of things to do, fun places to go which also don’t cost the earth. I am to blame as well because some days I just find leaving the house with all 3 such hard work. My husband plays football on Saturdays so I’m home all week and then weekends I still have to think of ways to entertain. I try my hardest not to get too much tv on and they don’t go on iPads much at all. Then throwing in thinking of 3x meals a day to cook 🙈 I just feel lost and a little bored of parenting which I feel totally guilty about.
Such a rambled post but if anyone has any ideas/tips/or just feels similar, please share! And thank you ☺️

Sounds like you need some kind of a hobby or activity to do for yourself at the weekends?
And maybe a part time job?

Surely if these were options OP would already be doing them? 🤦‍♀️

Tips wise

Family walks..... oldest can ride their bike, middle can collect leaves/stones to colour in / paint with when they get home and youngest can toddle along?

What's your garden like? My youngest is 8 and still enjoys painting / chalking the garden slabs / walls and then washing it off

Meal plan! I struggle to stick to meal plans but when we do it makes the week so much easier, knowing in advance what we are going to have

And how is your partner helping. He goes to work, plays football and.......? Sounds like you are carrying a heavier load. I'd stop at 3 btw (wouldn't have had more than 1)

Why wouldn't they be an option?
I have no idea if the OP would be doing them or not.

I also wonder how your dp is helping? Does he have them in his own much? Can you have Sunday to yourself as he has Saturday? Does he help with meal planning? My dh has always made sure I had time off at weekends, and he cooks every weekend.

It's a hard and dull age your DC are at. Try to make time for yourself as much as possible, a job, join the PTA, do anything to get some time away.

My husband is self employed so I have been lucky to have him around more than possibly some dads can be with their work but yes, I’d say he has a lot more ‘me’ time than I do but he’s finally realised and next week is his last season of football. His body can’t cope 😂 and he sees 3 is a hard gig alone. With regards to hobbies, I’ve never actually had any, even as a kid. So it’s something I need to do is find something I might enjoy for some me time. I defo need to prioritise myself. I just find the day to day thinking of stuff to keep the kids happy/busy a chore. DD3 has cried all day because she’s so frustrated and wants to walk. The all day crying weighs heavy on me

3 young kids and DH has a day do himself every weekend? I think you have a DH problem.

Trust me, I don’t plan to have anymore!

I agree with pp: it's a DH problem, to put it bluntly. Although I understand too well how easy it is to get stuck in a family dynamic where you end up automatically doing the same things and expecting/hoping for different outcomes, but then you have no mental energy to come up with other ways. You need to have a talk,your DH and you, and organise your week so that you get your own time too.
Good luck 💐