To use disposable plates etc during half term?

[TychosNose]

I'm having a hard time coping at the mo. 8 month old sleeps terribly and 4 year old struggling with starting school. I'm suffering with pnd.

So, much as I care about the environment, wibu to use paper plates and cups and plastic cutlery so there's less washing up whilst I'm on my own with the kids for the week?

I've already decided to do no clothes washing all week and I'm not hoovering, just wiping the floors with floor wipes (wood throughout).

Actually really frightened about next week. Shit, sorry, this has become an essay. Didn't realise how emotional I felt about all this!

Also get mil or mum to come & stay
Or go & stay with them

Do what you can to get through

Your kids will be fine , it's you you have to focus on

Get loads of trashy DVDs for the evenings
Flowers, cake, candles , whatever cheers you up

Takeaways & for when they're in bed

& post on here

Don't worry about too much TV this week, it won't kill them,
And yes to paper plates, whatever makes life easier,
Also, I second trying to get out for a walk every day

Good luck

Treat yourself to a large supply of disposable picnicwear, paper tablecloths, child friendly dvds and lots of treats.

The only thing I wouldn't do is leave the washing as laundry mountain will still be there the following week. Keep on top if you can but just fold and put away. Give the iron a holiday too.

'You should be cooking organic gourmet served on your finest Wedgwood and simultaneously doing a Hazmat clean whilst teaching your child Latin because that's what I do!' It's completely doable if you stick a broom up your bum and sweep while you go.

Be kind to yourself, don't hate yourself for not being a perfect Stepford Mum. BTW to sidestep the TV argument, some things in our house get inexplicably 'broken' periodically. Would this work on your 4 yo?

Thanks for all the advice.

Never iron anyway so that's not a problem! See what you mean about it all piling up though. Hadn't thought about that. See I have trouble thinking because I'm so sleep deprived.

Yes sadly too much TV makes dd grumpy. I keep testing that one.

The reason I wipe the floor is because ds has just started crawling and everything gets in his mouth. Added to that the cat keeps bringing in presents for us. Often still slightly alive. I worry about him eating bird poo and getting some strange brain parasite (happened in House once). I hate the cat but dd loves it so I can't really get rid of it.

I will get them out as often as I can. I am not getting much help with the pnd. Gp and Hv are useless. I take my ads but I'm on the highest dose I can be with bf and there doesn't seem to be anything else. I've recently got in touch with home start so hopefully they can offer some support.

Thanks again for all your replies.

Do what you need to do to get by, and I say this as recycling fiend. You can offset it when your better, plant a tree or something, it might even be therapeutic

Can you afford to get a service wash op? I am totally planning a few cheats like this after I have dc2 soon.

Be kind to yourself.

What harm is it to have oven food or takeaways as long as you feel ok. Just get though the week. I hope you cope ok, it's hard.

Maybe get ds one of these?

www.firebox.com/product/6533/Baby-Mop

Ha. Baby mop is genius.

Planting a tree is a good idea. We've actually planted quite a few in the last few years so maybe I'm due a few paper plates anyway. Good excuse to get a Japanese maple though. Have been after one for a while.

I'm in no way at all trying to be perfect. Just trying to keep it together so the kids aren't too messed up from watching their mum falling apart.

Love the idea a service wash. I might investigate that. I've never done it before so not really sure how much they cost. Would be fab to outsource the laundry.

Have you been given an IAPT referral?
It will get better. The sleep deprivation won't last forever, and that's probably a significant contributor to your low mood imho.

Do you live near a Sure Start Children's Centre? They will have activities on during half term, at little or no cost. Your children are just the right age for a Children's Centre group.

Do what you gots to do, and if all else fails peppa pig/frozen is the way forward. Try to get out once a day, even if just to pop to the shop. You will do just fine promise

Agree the sleep side will get better soon too xx lots of big old hugs

Save the TV till nap time if too much makes your dd grumpy, then cuddle up with her on the sofa and have a snooze while she's watching telly and the baby sleeps been there, done that

Do you have a local swimming pool that runs a family swim? We do - it means you can have two DC to one adult. Knackers them out, esp when teamed with cheap leisure centre soft play. I feel that I've done my parenting bit if they've done something active and I can go easy and let them entertain themselves for the rest.

No IAPT referral sadly. Gp is a bit rubbish really and they don't accept self referrals.

Yes the sleep is a big factor, but there's nothing you can do about it is there? I haven't slept for a block of more than 2 hours in months.

I will look into the children's centres. We're not near one but we could make a trip for something to do!

And yes to the cafe suggestion. Dd loves cafés so I will splash out.

Also I dont know if I have missed here but do you have a dp/dh? Make sure youre delegating and not taking it all on alone

Getting outside is was my sanity saver. It gives you something to aim for, tires them out and gets you all out of the house breathing fresh air. I used to do it in the rain and if it's too cold to have a picnic you can picnic in the car.

Oh you poor thing.
Never underestimate the power of napping. Although in half term this is tricky of course.
Also, could you ask for a different GP? Or see a different HV?
And agree about the childrens centres. Some are very good.

((Hug))

go for easy food. baked beans on whole meal toast contains all the protein needed in a meal and is easy.

baked potatoes and cheese with some salad. (tomatoes, cucumber)

don't worry about too much tv. I am sure your four year old could do with some vegging out. perhaps let them out in the garden if it is reasonably safe.

you could have some of the healthier ready meals that are available. (morrisons do some and asda do some with mostly green traffic lights. )

getting out is supposed to help with depression. quite frankly though it is sometimes too much hard work.

Absolutely fine. I wish I'd thought of that idea when mine were small.

Hope you have a good week

Honestly, there is no8 need to worry about tv during half term! Adults (some) watch tv to switch off be entertained. So, surely children can, too? Your 4 yr old will be shattered after a first term at school.

Paper plates, plastic cups and cutlery, tv, pyjama days, movies, take aways. YANBU.

Hope you feel better very soon.

Your doing an amazing job but where is their father? He needs to be doing his bit.

Good plan. I sometimes do this. Fuck doing much housework, just tey and get out.

I wish I'd thought of getting paper plates, dammit!

You have classy username. Hoover when you can't see the floor. A clean and tidy house is not a reasonable objective with children.