To think I've taken on too much?

[OhWhatAPalaver]

For years I've wanted to learn sign language but not been able to afford it. Now finally I can afford it but I am feeling overwhelmed by it. I'm not sure starting a course while on maternity leave was the best idea. I went to the first session no problem, second one I was ill and exhausted and third one is due tonight but I've only had two hours sleep sat upright on the sofa because my 5 month old had her jabs yesterday. I also have an almost 5 year old to run around after as well. Was I daft to think I could take on a course with a 5 month and 5 year old to look after? Dd2 is not the best sleeper yet and I am permanently knackered. I can still pull out with out losing cash but have to make my mind up today. What should I do? Am I just a wimp and should just get on with it? Or have I bitten off more than I can chew? Dp thinks if I postpone it till September I'm a failure :(

is your dp always as unsupportive as that? that's not very nice is it

it is a lot to take on - be kinder to yourself than your dp is to you - not a failure you just want to keep your sanity and health

Well he said 'that is not the behavior of successful people'... I want to use it to further my career and he said if I quit we'll always be poor. I couldn't be bothered discussing it with him at 8am after a hard night with dd so I just ignored him.

Fwiw we're not 'poor' nor are we well off, he's from a much wealthier family than me so we have different perceptions on what 'poor' is.

There's no point in doing it if you're knackered and unable to concentrate, you'll just resent it. Your fella is just manipulating you when you're already down! If it means that much to him, he can do all the running around after the kids. If not, get your money back, put it somewhere only you can get at it, don't touch it and see how you feel in September. Ignore anything he has to say.

Successful people are not successful on their own. They have people who support them to get where they are. Like husbands who say supportive things.

Also, I'm not sure why you not being able to do a hobby course will mean your family will be poor! has he no gumption of his own to improve your financial state?

Sorry, I've missed where you said you will use it to further your career. Even so, my point still stands, if he wants to be rich he needn't be depending on a one hour a week coursehis wife takes whilst on maternity leave. Or he will be sorely disappointed.

I think it's partly because he has just gone self employed and increased his salary in the process, he thinks I should be doing the same. He is not breastfeeding all the hours god sends though....
It's quite a commitment the course as well, it's takes up the whole of weds evening, I leave at half 5 and don't get back till gone 9. There's 3 exams per year and it gets more intensive every year. I did my level one years ago (before kids) so I already feel a bit behind starting level 2 after such a long time. I should be looking forward to it as I do really enjoy it but I just worry about it at the moment.

What time is the course? If it's not too late in the evening I would still try to go, try to have a rest if your LO is napping. It's a bit of 'me' time you really need at the moment from the sounds of it and you can give yourself a big pat on the back after

Does he understand what maternity leave is for? It's not for getting in some extra training so you can bump up a pay grade! It's for your physical recovery from child growth and birth and for caring for your new baby. Any courses you want to do should be purely for your own interest and enjoyment with no pressure at all for them to lead to anything. If you find it too much then just stop, you can try it again in a year when baby is sleeping better. He really is Ann arse f he makes you feel bad for that. Your maternity leave is not for improving his bank balance!