To just find it so hard (parenting)

[bingisthebest]

Last day before back to school (inset day). Told myself enjoy then today, relax and just have fun with them. But it's so bloody hard. I can't be that patient parent. Have 3dcs 7,6 and 3. Oldest dd seems to feed off my stress levels and becomes more needy of me which makes be more stressed. I do all the things people suggest, have a break from them (they slept at dgs sat) regular exercise yet my stress levels seem to stay at max. Where am I going wrong? Feel so sad, they will be grown before I know it.

YANBU

Yanbu and you're not doing anything wrong. You're outnumbered during a break from their everyday routine. Anyone who says it'll be sunshine and lollipops is feeding you a line.

YANBU.

Some days it's like swimming through treacle.

Remember 'it's just a phase' applies to everything. Good bits and bad bits. Anyone who says enjoy it they will be grown so fast has clearly forgotten about the days when you are on your knees trying to survive until bedtime.

Roll on school tomorrow!

I've been in tears all evening after a day from hell with the baby. If I knew what it was like I don't think I would have become a parent.

It's hard work, and with three that young I'm not surprised. Don't be hard on yourself. Put some TV on for them and step away for some deep breaths if you really feel stressed.

YANBU. At all.

My two are such hard work at times. I love them dearly but like pp said if I knew how hard it was going to be I would never have become a parent. It doesn't feel natural to me

YANBU - I also find it hard and I only have one! He's 3.5 and of course I adore him but my God it's draining at times

I was back at work today and he was back at preschool after last week off for half term. I enjoyed lots of things with him.over half term but work today has felt like a rest despite teaching teenagers!

I think everyone finds it hard at times and that doesn't make anyone a bad parent

Ha! I'm looking back on it with affection! Mine are all grown up, and I'm rather proud of them! All successful in their chosen careers and very nice people. The bonus is that they want to spent time with their old Mumma!

BUT my god it was hard work! Unrelenting! The nagging, the worrying, the mess, the whole exhausting parenting thing At times I bloody hated it. (Particularly as my husband died when they were aged 15-5 and I brought them up on my own)

However, the hard work definitely pays off! Just take a deep breath OP and carry on plodding away. It will be worth it!

Parenting can be boring, exhausting, and soul destroying at times. When I stopped beating myself up when I felt one (or often all of those things at once) I felt a lot happier. And started to notice those little joyful moments more. Most important thing is that however awful a day you might have had with them, they are always loved and that's what's important

YANBU. It is bloody hard work.

You are probably feeling stressed because we all have unrealistic expectations of parenting

Three young children out of their normal rputine will be best off with other kids not being entertained by an adult. Think about how humans evolved we lived in communities with lots of kids running about ...the modern belief that a parent can bave a wonderful time occupying their children just doesn't match reality

I've a almost 5 yo and a 20 month old, everyday is survival
I've come to accept it will get easier when they get older I'm thinking when they leave home, married and have kids of their own
I find it so much harder in the holidays as all routine goes to pot, YNBU and your most definitely not alone

Yanbu at all. I spend most days wishing the time away until it is their bedtime and I can collapse in a heap. And then I feel terrible that I am so stressed and grumpy and never actually get to enjoy any of the time with them.

And then today dd2 started puking so they have gone to bed but I am on high alert expecting to be up all night cleaning up sick when I am already shattered. It never rains but it pours!

All these feelings are so familiar. I have a 6 and a 4 year old and thought the survival days would be well behind us. I think now it continues until they leave home .

My mother's mantra is was 'this phase will pass'.

Are you able to take breaks during the day at all - even 5 min with a tea and MN, or a walk where the kids spot birds/tractors/ collect leaves etc can give that little mental break needed to get through the next couple of hours.

Mine are only toddlers so not sure of it works for older kids but we have a share / compromise or loose it rule for toys etc. Of one snatched the gets the toy etc. It has / is really limiting the fighting and arguing.

*If one snatches the toy the other gets it