To think never having a lie in is easier than getting one once in a blue moon?

[Underthedeepblueocean]

At the moment am always up with the DCs. DD wakes early - around 5:30 - and won't go back to sleep until 8ish, by which time it's time to get DS to school.

DH works 12 hour days and these are normally four on and four off. He goes to the gym on three of his 'days off' but usually had a quiet day where he just catches up with paperwork and so on.

I've said it would be helpful if he could let me lay in until 8ish so he would have DD in other words but he says its easier (on me!) if I get up the same time every day!

The problem is she still wakes in the night and I find it hard to drop off as im always listening for her crying. At the moment I think I am getting 5 hours sleep a night? I'm tired, spotty, pale and generally irritable.

Help? What can I do?

Having him here isn't working but it's horrendous in a different way when he isn't.

Yes, it usually is. But it gets better as you adjust and your children get used to their new environment. What was horrendous about being on your own?

I just felt hopeless, like there was nothing good in life now or in the future.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Is it worth talking about things in more detail here on this thread (and maybe having it moved to Relationships?) so that you can sort out some of the issues and maybe figure out some ways to feel stronger and more resilient so that you can work towards being on your own at a later stage?

Yes you should get your lie in once every 8 days. We used to take turns Sat or Sun. How convenient for him your DD prefers you. He does work long days but there is absolutely not one reason why he should not take a turn at getting up early.

It often takes several, or many, attempts to leave a bad relegation ship, but can be done!

He is clearly a shit parent and partner. You can be OK as a single parent. There is help out there for you.

Bloody autocorrect, relationship!

Thanks, I think I may start a new thread in relationships :)