to think it should be possible to get 30 minutes for me?

[meaniemo]

Is it really too much to hope for? To be able to run on the treadmill without having to abandon my run to diffuse world war 3 between the children because he has decided to stop watching them to go and remove some dried paint of a desk in the attic? When he appears 10 mins later and I'm cross at him he tells me off for being snappy about it.

If i have to downsize my expectations of MY life any further i may have to drown myself in chocolate...

FYI prior to my abandoning him into parenthood I had made dinner, done all homework, tidy'd up, bathed and pyjama'd all the children and it was 10 mins to bedtime. He just had to make sure they got up the stairs on time and read them a flipping story.

Im not angry about this. I just want to cry.

Stop being a martyr and doing too much, make your dp to his fair share!

YABVU. You should be angry. But personally I would have put earphones in and let WW3 continue (making a possible exception for any bleeding wounds). Is there any way that you can get out of the house next time so that your DP has no choice but to deal with the DC?

I'm with pozzled.

If you're going to discharge your parenting responsibilities to your oh (and you should, for sure) then you should do it completely. They're not there as far as you're concerned. Bung the ipod on full blast and enjoy your run. Or better yet - go out to run!

The "they're" in that post is the chiddlers btw, not the oh.

yes ear plugs or loud music and let him get on with it.

I know exactly how you feel!

i'm too tired for any words of wisdom or clever retorts - you just have my sympathies...

I did have my ipod on really loud but the screams of DS 3 and DD 5 fighting over a beanbag in the next room were so piercing I thought someone was being murdered!

Going out to run isn't an option and the nearest gym is miles away (live in middle of nowhere).

Have made it v clear to OH he is in the doghouse and will be staying there.