Things that shouldn't be so difficult...but are

[Darkdiamond]

I've 3 kids and love being a mum but the one thing that really stresses me out is bathtime. Not the actual washing part, but the reluctance, moaning, complaining and general resistance when they have to get into the bath. Then, after the washing, the reluctance, moaning and complaining when they have to get out. After a long day in work, I just cannot face the double-battle and have to start prepping myself mentally around lunchtime. Seems like such an easy or even neutral task but it's so stressful!

Anyone else?

I remember that stage. I find the relentless packed lunches a challenge every day and don't understand why I find it so hard

Not child related, but changing a headlight bulb in the car. It's an utter performance, so much so that now we take the entire lighting unit into the house and do it in the kitchen.

The thing I utterly hate is the process of leaving home for more than a few days when you have kids. It starts with having to pack all the things needed for the trip including everyday, last min stuff that you can't put into the suitcases in advance. Then you have the real time madness of dealing with immediate needs such as kids being tired or hungry less than 1-2 hour before you leave. That entails making a meal, plating and serving, clearing up and tidying entire kitchen when you actually need to be going. Having to calculate which perishable foods you can still keep in the fridge, which ones you have to throw out and which ones you might be able to take with you.

It's the simultaneous process of having to prepare for an upcoming trip, keeping the current space neat and tidy for when you return, and making sure nobody creates a mess or gets hungry in the time it takes you to do all of that which does my head in. Absolutely fucking hate it.

The never empty laundry basket. I just did 3 loads of washing. How can it be full again?!