To be tired of always being the strong one

[cadburyegg]

I just need a hug right now and some understanding and somewhere to offload.

I’m a single mum. 2 kids age 7 and 4 who live with me apart from 1 weekend every 3 weeks they are with their dad. My mum does school pick up once a week, other than that it’s all on me. I am usually tired enough as it is. However I have a friend staying with me atm and she had to have emergency surgery a week ago. Luckily a small op but I have also been looking after her and doing almost everything for her. i don’t want to come across as complaining because of course she needs help and I am glad that I am available to help her.

But I am so exhausted and need to vent. I am SO TIRED. After making dinner for us all, putting kids to bed, laundry, everything else it’s about 10.30pm before I even sit down. Monday night I ate dinner at 11pm. My mum usually does school pick up once a week on Wednesdays but she’s ill today so I have made a dash to school. Waiting at school gates now trying not to cry because this is all too much 😭

I am sick of having to be the strong one 😭

I’m so sorry OP. It sounds incredibly hard. You sound v kind and hard working. I hope you can get some rest - let a couple of chores slide for a week and rest and refresh.

That sounds tough OP, I am also a single mum and I know how that feels, it would be lovely to have someone else to pick up the slack every now and again.

How long will your friend stay? I am surprised she asked you to help her knowing you have a lot on your plate already - I don't think my friends would ask me, knowing I am a single mum.

Can you get a rough end date from her? Then at least you know the end is in sight.

You sound lovely, I hope you get some time to look after yourself when she is gone.

Ahh this sounds exhausting, no wonder you feel like crying. I hope that you can get some much needed rest very soon. I've been in a very similar situation a few years back so I fully understand. I always thought that Sept/October time was extra exhausting when mine were school age.
💐Get your feet up as soon as you can

Poor you, you sound so burned out. You really need a break :(

I'm also surprised friend was willing to let you help look after them when you already have so much on your plate, will they be gone soon? Hopefully if it's been a few days since the op they're up and about and able to contribute a bit to sorting things out, or at least offering to pay expenses for stopping at yours/getting ready to move onto someone else to help out or go back home. It seems like a bit of an imposition tbh, would they do the same for you?