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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

sometimes I just find this whole parenting lark very hard work!

20 replies

YellowCanary1 · 20/11/2013 16:50

I have 2 lovely ds' s who I adore beyond all words, but at 2.5yrs and 5 months old there are days when I am completely exhausted. Ds1 is really pushong boundaries at the moment hitting, kicking, etc. He is much better at home or when just with me, but when we're out, at toddler groups etc, I'm just on edge the whole time waitng for him to kick off. I manage his behaviour when he plays up and make sure I am positive the rest of the time. I make sure each day I plan engaging activities and ds1 goes to nursery 2 half days a week. Ds2 is 5mths and a big baby. I bf him on demand and still feed every 2 hours ish, he weighs over 27lbs and shouts constantly if im not carrying him most the time. So i end up carrying him in a wrap and running after ds1
Both my boys are wonderful, fun, interactive little chaps but by the end of each day I'm absolutely exhausted, and know I face a night of bf. Dh is wonderful and supportive but being a farmer isn't around all that much. Does it get easier?

OP posts:
impty · 20/11/2013 16:52

Yes. Babies and toddlers are hard work! It does get easier and less exhausting, honestly.

Crowler · 20/11/2013 16:54

You're in the eye of the storm. Poor you! It gets so much easier. Mine are now playing cards and doing homework while I waste time work.

MrsBungleScare · 20/11/2013 16:55

Me too!

CailinDana · 20/11/2013 17:18

My ds is nearly 3 and dd is 9 months. It's getting easier all the time. Dd is clingy but getting less so and ds is more used to having to share me. It's still tiring but much more manageable.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 20/11/2013 17:26

You are doing a great job, don't be fooled by other rl mums' apparently effortless parenting. Flowers

Well done accentuating the positives, praise and encourage DS1.
Actually, do the same for both boys. Start praising them from when they're born. 'Good boy, what a good burp', 'Good baby, aren't you smiley', 'Good job (too American?) DS1! Did you eat all your dinner?' etc etc. You probably do it all the time without consciously thinking about it. It sounds a little phoney at first but fake positivity can brainwash you into feeling you are coping...

When DS1 starts up, take a deep breath and suppress the desire to scream. Say, "Come here {name} what's up?" and give him a hug, sometimes it breaks the cycle.

Wrangling DCs does take it out of you, it's hard for DS1 at his age
to wait, or understand what you mean when you tell him, "In a minute!" While your youngest isn't toddling yet, he can sometimes be set aside to deal with DS1. Otoh when feeding DS2, then DS1 can sit beside or stay within sight, read a book, lisaten to a CD, watch CBeebies.

Every chance you get, get out in the fresh air. Invest in an exercise DVD you can put on at night to de-stress.

As DH is a farmer, are you living somewhere quite isolated? I found it helped having someone just pop in for a chat and brew just to get adult conversation and a small break from the everyday infant stuff.

I know it sounds extravagant but if you don't have Mum or MIL nearby, you could get a cleaner for a couple of hours a week, or even find a local company to take your washing and ironing. That would reduce your workload at home. Anyone with a teen you'd trust to help out?

Ask your HV for help regarding counselling, support groups in your area.

A tip I often see on MN is to look for a parenting course at your local Sure Start centre. So you can pick up new strategies and feel confident.

YellowCanary1 · 20/11/2013 17:39

Thanls donkey, yep we do live in a quite isolated area so adilt conversation isn't always forthcoming!

My mum is a senior social worker and specialist in parenting so gives me great strategies and though I am seeing improvements, it seems a long haul process!
Today I made some cards with ds1 with pictures depicting good and not nice behaviours and wr made a bosrd for our house rules which he loved. Thoughbon reflection sometimes I think I jump on negatives too quickly and like the break the cycle approach. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
YellowCanary1 · 20/11/2013 17:40

Please excuse typos, only just getting used to a new note thingy!

OP posts:
Goandplay · 20/11/2013 17:47

I feel exactly the same way since my twins arrived but I think it's just like a previous poster said we are in the eye of the storm and it must get better because they'll start sleeping better and we will have more energy and everything seems easier to manage after a good nights/weeks sleep. One day at a time.

Rhubarbgarden · 20/11/2013 17:49

You've got the same age gap as me. It's bloody hard work at the stage you're at. It does get less of a grind, I promise. Keep plugging away, one day at a time. And if you can find some local groups to go to, do go, even if it means a drive. It can be a life line.

Can you start to gently get ds2 into a routine and encourage him to go a bit longer between feeds? I know that's not always a popular suggestion on here, but it really helped me.

waterrat · 20/11/2013 18:20

It's tough - there is a nice thread on parenting recently about the age at which things get easier - and you are in the hard bit! Lets face it breast feeding Half the night is insanely tiring - that won't last forever and once you can get it down to one feed at night and then - one day! - to no more night feeds you will have so much more energy - in the grand scheme off things it won't be long ..

I actually agree with the poster who suggested trying to get to 3 hour feeds or at least gently stretch them - I had a baby like that but actually whn I did a little bit of routine it worked quicker and with less tears than I expected - and life was a lot easier ...

MummyBeerest · 20/11/2013 19:03

You sound like you're doing a great job.

I find it tough and I only have one. And she's 15mo.

And I live in a city.

Still nursing at night too.

Don't believe anyone who seems like they have it easy is my only and best advice.

Crowler · 20/11/2013 19:37

Sorry, what I should have said is that mine are easy because they're 8 and 11. They were absolute terrors when they were younger.

It will get so much better. I sometimes wonder how I made it through - I don't think I'm the most natural mother.

JadedAngel · 20/11/2013 19:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kinraddie · 20/11/2013 20:44

It does get easier, and time passes so quickly, before you know it they will be teenagers and you barely even get to see them, as they spend all their time in their rooms listening to music, studying or face timing their friends. Please try and enjoy them too, despite the hard work and exhaustion. I wish my two were that age again..I would happily go back.

PMDD · 21/11/2013 07:41

That is a very difficult age. They are lovely and innocent and cute, but the lack of sleep and fact you have to watch the toddler 100% of the time, makes life very difficult.

I had a 4 year old, 2 year old and new born at one point and I swear that was the hardest and loveliest time of my life all at the same time.

YellowCanary1 · 21/11/2013 12:01

That's very true pmdd, at the moment life really is full of the extremes of happiest, lovely moments and sometime hardwork. Wouldn't change it for tbe world though!

OP posts:
TeaAndCakeOrDeath · 21/11/2013 13:07

Oh God, I have a similar set up (2 DSs, one 2.10 and one 5 months) and God some days its just so bloody difficult!
DS2 teething and DS1 nagging for cartoons/me to play with him/bloody kinder eggs!

He's also going through an interesting phase of being mostly lovely at home but turning into a bit of a nightmare outside, having tantrums in shops, hitting other kids at soft play etc so I'm sort of avoiding going out a bit but don't think thats great for my mental health either...esp as DP has just started a new job which is shifts so can be out 12/14-ish hours and I'm on maternity so can be days with no adult contact

He's not in nursery yet though (possibility of moving across town soon so don't want to settle him in one to move him again a few months later) but I think he really needs it...

Sorry, turned into a bit of a rant there, just wanted to say you're not alone!

FortyDoorsToNowhere · 21/11/2013 13:16

hang in there, as they get older it will be easier. of course when they are older there is a new set of challenges but they will understand more ( thats the easier part)

PoopMaster · 21/11/2013 13:30

My DDs are the same age as your DSs - it is hard work!

I'm trying to be patient, praise DD1 (sometimes sound like when we were training our dog!), lower some of my expectations (Cbeebies is on more than I'd ideally like, but hey...) and trying to schedule some time out for myself, even if it's just a bath.

I've started to do little baking projects with DD1 while DD2 watches from the playmat. I have a secret pact that I won't worry no matter how messy it gets, it helps focus her attention and helps pass a difficult day, and then you get a nice treat out of it.

Of course when I tell people we've been baking it sounds like I'm finding it all so easy, tra-la-la...but actually it's my coping mechanism!

fairylightsintheautumn · 21/11/2013 14:11

my two are now 4 and 2.5 and it is starting to be easier. they can be left in room together for whole minutes at a time without a crisis. They are working on doing some things like teeth, clothes etc independently and have been superbly trained by the CM to walk sedately holding my or each others hands so you aren't faffing with slings and buggies. Hang in there. - Also, how do you feel about expressing some milk so your DP could do a few night feeds?

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