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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Old, fat and knackered.

217 replies

Dearzooimsickofyou · 21/04/2021 16:37

Me.

43 years old with a hyper almost 3 year old Dd, just caught sight of myself in the mirror with my baggy jumper, pj bottoms and hair in desperate need of cutting, up in a messy bun.
I have zero time, I brush my teeth and brush my hair each day, that’s generally about all. A shower feels like a treat. I have no time to workout, no idea when I ever would, or time to read or...think.
I used to be fairly good looking, had interests, was interesting, now I’m just exhausted, scruffy and a mess.
We have no family to help/babysit. Dp works from 7-6, comes home and we take it in turns each night to do the bedtime. She doesn’t sleep easily, so it’s the majority of the night gone.
Would I be better being back at work?
Any Sahm’s happy?
Will this change??!

OP posts:
ssd · 21/04/2021 18:48

And for me, how you feel @Dearzooimsickofyou is totally normal. And it doesn't last forever.

EarringsandLipstick · 21/04/2021 18:51

Its the never having help bit, no family nearby

I understand having no help, I have no family close by & could desperately have done with them, especially when my marriage ended & I had a 2,4 & 6 yo to look after.

However, it can't be a reason not to shower or wear proper clothes, that you have no family close by! And these are the things that OP identified in her first post.

And OP does have the support of her DH. Showering & self-care are possible. Of course.

Reinventinganna · 21/04/2021 18:57

@CattingTime what eyebrow/eyelash tint do you use?

@Dearzooimsickofyou have you heard of the organised mum method (tomm)? It’s great to keep on top of the house (not just for you but Dh too). She’s got a new book called the organised time method or similar which might be worth looking at. IIRC she created TOMM when feeling overwhelmed with really young children.

twiggytwoo · 21/04/2021 18:57

I’m with @EarringsandLipstick on this one - and this is said from a position of being in leggings and not having showered today.. yet! I have a v demanding just turned 3 year old and a 5 month old baby and I agree that is hard, the toddler is way harder work than the baby and we are just muddling through most days.

My advice is get her into a bedtime routine - she (he?) is 3 and you should be able to have a proper routine now so that bedtime doesn’t take over your whole evening and you get some time to relax etc. Personally I wouldn’t use it for exercise either! Once the DC are in bed I will be showering Grin

I would also have a proper routine in the day and try to get them out in the morning to tire them out and maybe then in the afternoon have some quieter moments or downtime. My toddler stopped napping at 2 but try to read or watch cartoons after lunch, when she’s doing that I get on with other stuff. Usually housework rather than self care admittedly.

I also think you need to prioritise what you do - id have more time for self care if I didn’t spend my evenings watching TV with DH complaining about how tired I am with a glass of wine, but that is my choice and it will get better... I assume!

CattingTime · 21/04/2021 18:59

[quote Reinventinganna]@CattingTime what eyebrow/eyelash tint do you use?

@Dearzooimsickofyou have you heard of the organised mum method (tomm)? It’s great to keep on top of the house (not just for you but Dh too). She’s got a new book called the organised time method or similar which might be worth looking at. IIRC she created TOMM when feeling overwhelmed with really young children.[/quote]
This one

https://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Eye-Makeup/Eyebrows/Eyebrow-Dye-and-Tinting/Eylure-Dybrow---Dark-Brown---Permanent-Eyebrow-Tint/p/46466

It's so easy to do after you get the hang of it. I leave it on for about 30 mins though.

CattingTime · 21/04/2021 18:59

[quote Reinventinganna]@CattingTime what eyebrow/eyelash tint do you use?

@Dearzooimsickofyou have you heard of the organised mum method (tomm)? It’s great to keep on top of the house (not just for you but Dh too). She’s got a new book called the organised time method or similar which might be worth looking at. IIRC she created TOMM when feeling overwhelmed with really young children.[/quote]
And this for lashes.

https://www.justmylook.com/strictly-professional-black-eyelash-tint-15ml-p5260/s5264?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmterm=strictly-professional-black-eyelash-tint-15ml-spe7500&utmmcampaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAjwmv-DBhAMEiwA7xYrd2Xlfq-xxM2S5V43FmXrNQadQZ2pIMgFCm6qXvpJR8jufywylb5sRoC0ekQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Reinventinganna · 21/04/2021 19:01

Thank you @CattingTime I’ll give them a go! I’ve missed being pampered but liked the money it’s saved!

CattingTime · 21/04/2021 19:01

And this BB cream

uk.erborian.com/bb-cream-clair,7,1,1086,4047.htm

CattingTime · 21/04/2021 19:03

@Reinventinganna

Thank you *@CattingTime* I’ll give them a go! I’ve missed being pampered but liked the money it’s saved!
Doing eyebrows is super easy. Even if you smudge or get a bit on your skin it disappears within a day.

Eyelashes are a bit trickier at first but worth it. I do my eyelashes once a month and don't bother with mascara now.

minipie · 21/04/2021 19:18

I just know pre baby, I generally had to watch what I ate plus workout a fair bit to be slim

Hmm worth getting your thyroid checked out

Lili132 · 21/04/2021 19:24

@RiojaRose

This thread is so odd! People with completely different experiences telling the OP she can just do things they’ve never done!

OP, I’m one of those who had a full time job when my eldest was 3. It was only when I went back to work that I had the mental space to address things like diet and exercise. For me, work was much much much easier than looking after a very demanding small child. I think the best advice probably comes from people who were SAHMs for the first three years, rather than those of us who have no experience of the relentlessness of full time parenting at that stage.

Everyone's experience is different. I found being SAHM (single parent) 10 times easier then combining work and home. I think it really depends on type of work and hours but coming home and doing dinner, tidying, childcare in a very little time that's left can be extremely stressful and makes days longer.

People who say that OP will suddenly have it easier just because she goes to work are unreasonable unless we're talking about working part time which can be a nice balance but nor necessary make someone more organised.

OP, everyone's situation is different and I'm sure you find your life very difficult at the moment but there are ALWAYS little steps we can take to make it a little better.
It will get easier 🌷

Dearzooimsickofyou · 21/04/2021 19:26

@twiggytwoo She’s been in a good routine for always. We’re generally out in the mornings for dog walks or the beach, play dates, shops, park etc. After lunch, she used to nap but will now fight it (even though she clearly needs it) I did torn this into quiet time, but she generally won’t sit for long without needing me to be the one to do things with her. Bedtime has always been a set routine of pjs, teeth, stories, bath some nights etc etc. She’s fine with the routine, but takes ages to drop off sometimes, so a fair portion of the night is taken. Now it’s lighter evenings, we’ve even been trying to do an extra dog walk or bike ride but she’s often too tired for that at the moment, but won’t sleep. I love being a mum and totally give my all, I just wish there was a bigger window somewhere for things none motherhood related!

OP posts:
LaLaLandIsNoFun · 21/04/2021 19:28

I completely disagree with @EarringsandLipstick - my daughter was far far far easier and less of a time gobbler than she was at 3

Dearzooimsickofyou · 21/04/2021 19:32

@Boatonthehorizon What do I do all day?! Navigate life with a teething, tantruming toddler mainly!
My whole day is obviously filled with her, breakfast, clean up, tidying, shopping, out for walks, play (it’s easier when we’re out but can’t stay out all day) lunch, clean up, tidying, play, art & craft, reading, stories, dinner, clean up, making lunches, paying bills, cleaning, bath, pjs, reading, tidying, tv for a couple of hours..some broken sleep...and so it begins again.

OP posts:
Dearzooimsickofyou · 21/04/2021 19:36

@LaLaLandIsNoFun Same! I look back wistfully on those days. She had bad comic until around 4 months, and aside from real lack of sleep, it was a pretty relaxing time at home when she was teeny. Now it’s fun at times and interesting, she’s very chatty and never stops, but there’s no break. When she was teeny, there was at least a couple of hours of naps in my arms even while I was perched up on the sofa watching a film or reading, it’s not been that for a long time

OP posts:
Dearzooimsickofyou · 21/04/2021 19:37

*colic

OP posts:
ImFree2doasiwant · 21/04/2021 19:59

I do get this OP. It can be hard. I've got 2 DC, 18 months apart, and became single with the youngest wasn't even 1. It was a whirlwind. Things are (slowly) calming down with 1 at school.

A PP was right in a way though, if you'd had another child, you would be dealing with it. Personally I found i had little inclination for mist things. Even down to bathing and washing hair. Once they were in bed,I justcwanted to either get stuff done or sit down in quiet. I certainly dobt gave the energy for much exercise although I would say I could do it after bedtime, honestly, i don't want to.

There are 2 of you though, so you should be getting some time. Your husband gets the commute to work and a lunchtime to himself. I cherished my drive to work pre covid.

You have to carve out time where you can. It does all feel like an effort though. It really depends how important it is to you . When my first DC was a baby I got in the habit where we wouldn't go downstairs til I was washed , dressed and presentable. It only takes 10 minutes,but I know from experience that if I didn't do it as soon as I got up, I could go all day unwashed. I still do that now, its our routine

I've recent started a proper skin care routine morning and night because I'm looking old. It takes a few minutes but the results are great. Skin looks so much brighter.

Clothes, well I'm not great at tis, but have bought a few things recently aseverything I was wearing was old and tired. Like me . So I do look a bit better in that respect. Just new jeans and a couple of tops. Also, new pjs so if I am lounging,I look and feel better!

Weight wise, it really is calories in vs calories out. The exercise most of us do, really doesn't use up too many calories. I generally don't do much exercise though am reasonably active through the day.

If its making you miserable (it was for me) just try to make small changes at a time.

I'm also 43, old tired and fat.

EarringsandLipstick · 21/04/2021 20:12

I'm at a loss to know what you disagree with me on @LaLaLandIsNoFun

You haven't specified?

Thesheerrelief · 21/04/2021 20:18

I'm a single mum and was at home for 2.5 years while also caring for a parent with dementia. The days felt like I was a hamster on a wheel. If I didn't have a quick shower first thing it didn't happen so I put a baby gate on my bedroom door and showered in the en suite with my full length mirror turned so I could see the bedroom. Yes, it felt rushed but I also felt clean! Getting out of the house every day also helped. DS is three now but had awful silent reflux until 13 months so was a terrible sleeper. I used a very gentle (no CIO methods) sleep consultant and things slowly transformed. Getting his sleep sorted made the biggest difference. No family help or partner here so I'd often be on my knees with tiredness. Back at work with the last 6 months and I have to get up before DS to get myself ready or things are chaotic.

EarringsandLipstick · 21/04/2021 20:22

God @Thesheerrelief that must have been incredibly tough. I can't imagine juggling care of a parent & a baby, all on your own. Well done for surviving.

Thesheerrelief · 21/04/2021 20:25

@EarringsandLipstick some days it was just surviving. I fell asleep on the floor once when I was starting to transition DS into his own room. I still remember the first night he slept for more than a couple of hours. In a way it feels like I'm just emerging from that fog now that he's three but I had to have structure to my day or it all fell apart.

ManCubsMama · 21/04/2021 20:28

Sounds like a load of excuses to me. If you wanted to feel nice you’d make it work, find the time. Can’t you shower before DD is awake? Come on OP be honest with yourself.

tuttifuckinfruity · 21/04/2021 20:33

@Dearzooimsickofyou I totally sympathise. I've been there. Some people obviously just have easier kids. I have been in the state you are in and have no real advice other than it absolutely does get better.

She's 3.....it'll get better soon xxx

Lovelovelove21 · 21/04/2021 20:38

[quote Dearzooimsickofyou]@Lovelovelove21 It did make me feel a bit crap! That I wasn’t able to even get the basics done, think I might be feeling a bit defensive though perhaps 🤷🏻‍♀️Do I need to get my act together, or is this normal?![/quote]
I have 5 kids and what you've explained is how I feel. Yes I have more children than you but everyone's truth/life is different.
Some people have support from parents, friends, other half etc and some people don't have this support at all.
I am at home with my nearly 3 year old all day as well and it is mentally and physically exhausting.
Things do get easier when they get to school as you get a bit of 'me' time again. You also start meeting other mums and making friends. Because I know this stage will be coming eventually for my nearly 3 year old I do see light at the end of the tunnel.
Things will and do get better. ❤️

Lovelovelove21 · 21/04/2021 20:40

@ManCubsMama

Sounds like a load of excuses to me. If you wanted to feel nice you’d make it work, find the time. Can’t you shower before DD is awake? Come on OP be honest with yourself.
Excuses? Don't be so nasty. Be supportive. Be kind. Everyone's truth/ lives are different.
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