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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why do I find being a mum so hard when others seem fine ??

212 replies

feddupppp · 06/02/2023 21:56

I am just so exhausted of if all.

From the moment I wake up and even when I'm asleep essentially because I get woken up constantly, I'm completely responsible for two little ones. (3 years and 9 months). It's just go go go. Clean this, change that, carry this, carry that. It never stops. The demands, the whingeing- does not stop.

My 3 year old goes to nursery ( although she's never there as she's always ill), but my 9 month old is even more work than her now. Constantly falling, grabbing stuff, putting stuff in his mouth etc. constant poo explosions. Crawls away and resists nappy changes like I've never seen before.

I have help occasionally from my mum, she comes and stays a couple of weeks and it's bliss. My H is there one day a week, but other than that, I'm completely on my own in it. I know others have it way worse than me, but I'm just not coping. I just can't do it. I hate my life. It's so small. It's just them. I go back to work soon, but I'm scared it will be even worse for me.

I've had such a bad few weeks of the kids not letting me sleep, having to look after them whilst I've also been sick myself. I keep vomiting and having stomach bugs or something. ( it's being investigated ).

How do we find the strength to carry on ? How do we do this ? I try to talk to my H about this. I tried tonight and ended up in a fight. He doesn't get it. I told him he doesn't get it, because he's never done it before. He's never taken them both somewhere alone, had the 3 year old have a massive unstoppable tantrum - then had them both fall asleep in the car and had them both screaming and crying when he got them home and tried to get them out of the car. He's also never had to somehow get them both in the house ( plus bags ) then sort them both out, make sure they're safe, make them dinner, get them to bed etc. it all just seems so much right now. Maybe it's because I've been unwell, but I can't see how I can carry on.

OP posts:
feddupppp · 08/02/2023 15:32

@Constellar thanks. I didn't know if it was me, but that really upset me. I didn't think my struggles were actually affecting my kids in the sense that I'm a bad mum to them. I work so hard to be good to them and patient and give them love. I struggle alone and in front of my partner, but I do my best not to show my kids. Im always there for them.

OP posts:
Crumpledstilstkin · 08/02/2023 15:57

feddupppp · 08/02/2023 15:32

@Constellar thanks. I didn't know if it was me, but that really upset me. I didn't think my struggles were actually affecting my kids in the sense that I'm a bad mum to them. I work so hard to be good to them and patient and give them love. I struggle alone and in front of my partner, but I do my best not to show my kids. Im always there for them.

I read it as @Matlab saying that of course there are things you can do to be better which is absolutely true for all of us. Unfortunately your husband and family seem really unsupportive which is disappointing. Personally I found therapy to understand my feelings around my children's behaviour helped. Their behaviour is the same but if you understand why it makes you feel the way it does and why they're doing it it's easier to deal with.

HistoryFanatic · 08/02/2023 16:36

Matlab · 08/02/2023 13:36

It really does sound as if you're struggling. But admitting it is the first step before things can get better. I don't meant to be cruel, but some mums will of course be better at being a mum than you. That's the case with anything in life - there will always be people who are better than you. You don't automatically get the skillset of a good mum, just because you have kids.

The first step to coping better is finding good mum role models, and try and find out what works for them, what strategies they have, what routines they have. If you do what they do, then with time and perseverance there's no reason why you shouldn't get outcomes similar to them.

I find Mumsnet tends to be very good at making you feel better, but not great at providing concrete advice to actually help with an issue. Hopefully you'll take this post as inspiration to improve, rather than a dig. But it's up to you - as with a lot of things in life it's all about mindset

Jeez what a complete knob you are.

HimalayaSalts · 08/02/2023 16:52

Going out shopping with kids is extremely difficult, since having a baby it's been deliveries or DH has to go and do the grocery shopping, with or without car, doing the food shopping with kids is just on a whole other level

ERB0585 · 08/02/2023 17:57

My heart goes out to you. This was ME in December. You are not alone and this is normal. Ignore social media. Everyone I know is like this! Know that you will get past the bugs, you will get more sleep and the change of routine that work will bring will be a refresh. I have been back for a week now, it’s forced DH to step up in a way that he always found a reason not to when I was on maternity leave. The world is getting bigger again. Although the new problem is the heavy guilt I feel for not being with the children. But learning to accept that as normal too.

Accept your misery as transient I say, know it’s not forever and whatever the troubles, to your children you are the absolute world.

I feel like I’m through to the next challenge and I’m sure you will be too.

Forgooodnesssakenow · 08/02/2023 18:10

feddupppp · 08/02/2023 07:33

The job of mothering is still very much a woman's work.

I just meant looking after children.

In YOUR house it is, here we all had gastroenteritis last month, my husband left work early because me and the 2 kids were vomitting, a couple hours later he started puking too. We managed together, I rubbed backs while he emptied sick buckets, I changed pyjamas while he changed beds etc etc.

Caterina99 · 08/02/2023 18:11

Yes I nearly lost my shit one day when DH helpfully suggested that I could take something to the post office for him and pick up something else so he didn’t have to do it in his lunch hour.

Packing up a toddler and a baby into the car and out of the car and into a buggy and waiting in the queue at the post office, just so you don’t have to stand in the queue when it’s busy at lunch time? Fuck right off!

Forgooodnesssakenow · 08/02/2023 18:17

By which I mean mainly you have a husband problem, we all get burnt out, exhausted, feel we can't do it, after that norovirus I was at my limit. If I'd been told it was no big deal and to do it alone I'd have turned to violence I think.

You deserve more support and we're all in the shit together.

Arniesleftleg · 08/02/2023 18:32

No one, and I mean absolutely no one has their shit together. I look absolutely fine on the outside but I'm fighting my inner demons.

When I was on Facebook I had a few friends whose lives I knew inside out but they lived 'happy and blessed' lives on FB. The kids were happy, the houses were tidy, they were so in love with their DH's. It was all bullshit.

My ex boss looked the picture of health and happiness. Drove a great car, had a massive house, beautiful wife and kids but was a raging alcoholic, kids sent off the boarding school and was sh@gging his financial advisor whilst telling the world how wonderful his life and family were.

Life is crap, even more so at the moment but take a little blessing from every day and try and see some good in things.

I've had 4 hospital procedures since November but i'm still trying to see a little bit of good in things. Staying off social media is a good start to better MH

Get yourself a little note book and find 5 things each day to be thankful for, even if its that the kids didn't fight for five minutes. You'll soon start to feel a little better.

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 08/02/2023 19:14

I'm sitting here yawning whilst my 6 and 4 year olds play before bedtime. 20 mins left. You're not alone OP but your set up does sounds hard.
I get it. I 'cope' by trying to plan and get on top of stuff when I have time from them which may not be feasible for you. I've not read all the replies but it's unlikely to change when it's you doing the bulk of it all. Hopefully there's something that can shift.

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 08/02/2023 19:15

Also I have a H who does a fair bit. So the load is lessened for me but I still feel shattered.
Take it easy on yourself.

Forgooodnesssakenow · 08/02/2023 19:18

Arniesleftleg · 08/02/2023 18:32

No one, and I mean absolutely no one has their shit together. I look absolutely fine on the outside but I'm fighting my inner demons.

When I was on Facebook I had a few friends whose lives I knew inside out but they lived 'happy and blessed' lives on FB. The kids were happy, the houses were tidy, they were so in love with their DH's. It was all bullshit.

My ex boss looked the picture of health and happiness. Drove a great car, had a massive house, beautiful wife and kids but was a raging alcoholic, kids sent off the boarding school and was sh@gging his financial advisor whilst telling the world how wonderful his life and family were.

Life is crap, even more so at the moment but take a little blessing from every day and try and see some good in things.

I've had 4 hospital procedures since November but i'm still trying to see a little bit of good in things. Staying off social media is a good start to better MH

Get yourself a little note book and find 5 things each day to be thankful for, even if its that the kids didn't fight for five minutes. You'll soon start to feel a little better.

Look up toxic positivity.

I've a load of things to be thankful forz the amazing wonderous children I thought I'd never have for a start, my career, my husband... But while being puked and shit on the other week I'd have shoved that notebook up your... Nose!

glittereyelash · 08/02/2023 19:23

Everybody struggles with parenting at different points and everyone has a friend with a unicorn baby that sleeps all night, never cries and will entertain themselves for hours. I got an absolute screamer who woke multiple times a night, had monster tantrums and couldn't sit still for a minute. I just had to live day by day and try not compare myself to anyone else and just let the stares and smug looks go over my head. Hang in there your doing great ❤️

Piano73 · 08/02/2023 19:37

Hi OP @feddupppp I have just signed up to Mumsnet in order to reply to your post (which I saw on FB). I have 2 girls, now 18 and 14. I had an incredibly tough time when they were little (later diagnosed as PND and PTSD from first delivery, plus non sleeping eldest, etc etc). A lot of issues, but looking back I can see that a lot of the reason it became SO severe for my MH was my (now ex) husband's behaviour/attitude. It tipped everything from awful to totally unbearable.

It is a really, really tough stage, sure. But regardless of what stage you're at in life, if something is causing you this much misery it needs to change. Tough stages will come at any time of life and every one of them will do far more damage than it could have done if you don't have any support from your husband.

Sorry this is long, but I just wanted to say:

Never mind anyone else. You're feeling like shit atm. That matters and needs addressing. Yes, the childcare thing gets easier eventually, but the dickhead management doesn't, it gets worse when they are enabled to continue undermining us.

Your H is being at best naive and self-centred, and at worst emotionally abusive. He has zero idea what you're dealing with, and SO many things you've mentioned resonated with me. Brought back awful memories of how shit my ex made me feel for not being able to do everything, all the time, while he essentially lived the life he wanted to. As others have said, if he genuinely can't be around more than one day a week, he needs to rethink his priorities and/or pay for proper help AND be a genuine emotional support to you - whatever shape that takes for you, at the coalface of it all. Something tells me he won't be receptive to that, but hopefully I'm wrong.

If he was divorced he would have to step up and do up to 50% of what you're doing. Wouldn't hurt to point that out.

Please see your doctor for a start as depression can 100% be caused by unsupportive and detrimental home life. Get some counselling from someone used to spotting emotional abuse because I suspect you might recognise a lot of issues once you get validation that no, you're by NO means being crap/spoilt/whatever. Even if it's not that, you'll build your confidence up. Your confidence in your own abilities has been screwed up, both by this life stage AND by your H. Build that up and you might well feel better about whatever steps you feel need taking.

Go away for the entirety of the next 2 times he's back. Tell him where you are if you want, but wherever you go, do not be contactable for idiotic questions, and do not apologise for stating what you need. And don't make it easier by prepping it all for him! IF he has an ounce of sense/empathy, this will hopefully be enough to wake him up. If not, it'll give you a bit of clarity. If you're too worried about his reaction to do this, that's a red flag in itself.

I'm embarrassed to say it took me about 10 years of misery with my ex (out of a total of 25 years - plenty of signs but it got a lot worse for the last decade) to actually get the strength to leave. I read loads of books about emotional abuse, started counselling, recognised what was going on, and very gradually got some of my strength back. As the girls got older they became less draining to cope with, and both supported my decision 100% and said how relieved they were when I finally left (2.5 years ago). I stayed for years thinking I was doing the right thing for them. I tried so hard not to badmouth their father, but they took it all in anyway and worked it out on their own.

I will always regret giving them a masterclass in how to cope with an emotionally abusive prick and give away all self esteem in the process.

I pray that I got out in time for them not to replicate that in their relationships, but it worries me. At the very least, you don't want to be modelling "when you're a mum/main carer you don't matter" to them, as it all goes in from a really young age.

I'll shut up now, but I hope it helps knowing that you are NOT being pathetic, needy or weak. Let us know how you're doing. X

feddupppp · 08/02/2023 19:59

Piano73 · 08/02/2023 19:37

Hi OP @feddupppp I have just signed up to Mumsnet in order to reply to your post (which I saw on FB). I have 2 girls, now 18 and 14. I had an incredibly tough time when they were little (later diagnosed as PND and PTSD from first delivery, plus non sleeping eldest, etc etc). A lot of issues, but looking back I can see that a lot of the reason it became SO severe for my MH was my (now ex) husband's behaviour/attitude. It tipped everything from awful to totally unbearable.

It is a really, really tough stage, sure. But regardless of what stage you're at in life, if something is causing you this much misery it needs to change. Tough stages will come at any time of life and every one of them will do far more damage than it could have done if you don't have any support from your husband.

Sorry this is long, but I just wanted to say:

Never mind anyone else. You're feeling like shit atm. That matters and needs addressing. Yes, the childcare thing gets easier eventually, but the dickhead management doesn't, it gets worse when they are enabled to continue undermining us.

Your H is being at best naive and self-centred, and at worst emotionally abusive. He has zero idea what you're dealing with, and SO many things you've mentioned resonated with me. Brought back awful memories of how shit my ex made me feel for not being able to do everything, all the time, while he essentially lived the life he wanted to. As others have said, if he genuinely can't be around more than one day a week, he needs to rethink his priorities and/or pay for proper help AND be a genuine emotional support to you - whatever shape that takes for you, at the coalface of it all. Something tells me he won't be receptive to that, but hopefully I'm wrong.

If he was divorced he would have to step up and do up to 50% of what you're doing. Wouldn't hurt to point that out.

Please see your doctor for a start as depression can 100% be caused by unsupportive and detrimental home life. Get some counselling from someone used to spotting emotional abuse because I suspect you might recognise a lot of issues once you get validation that no, you're by NO means being crap/spoilt/whatever. Even if it's not that, you'll build your confidence up. Your confidence in your own abilities has been screwed up, both by this life stage AND by your H. Build that up and you might well feel better about whatever steps you feel need taking.

Go away for the entirety of the next 2 times he's back. Tell him where you are if you want, but wherever you go, do not be contactable for idiotic questions, and do not apologise for stating what you need. And don't make it easier by prepping it all for him! IF he has an ounce of sense/empathy, this will hopefully be enough to wake him up. If not, it'll give you a bit of clarity. If you're too worried about his reaction to do this, that's a red flag in itself.

I'm embarrassed to say it took me about 10 years of misery with my ex (out of a total of 25 years - plenty of signs but it got a lot worse for the last decade) to actually get the strength to leave. I read loads of books about emotional abuse, started counselling, recognised what was going on, and very gradually got some of my strength back. As the girls got older they became less draining to cope with, and both supported my decision 100% and said how relieved they were when I finally left (2.5 years ago). I stayed for years thinking I was doing the right thing for them. I tried so hard not to badmouth their father, but they took it all in anyway and worked it out on their own.

I will always regret giving them a masterclass in how to cope with an emotionally abusive prick and give away all self esteem in the process.

I pray that I got out in time for them not to replicate that in their relationships, but it worries me. At the very least, you don't want to be modelling "when you're a mum/main carer you don't matter" to them, as it all goes in from a really young age.

I'll shut up now, but I hope it helps knowing that you are NOT being pathetic, needy or weak. Let us know how you're doing. X

Thank you for taking the time to write this for me. I really appreciate and I'm happy that you're doing so well without your ex. All the best to you.

OP posts:
MonkeyMindAllOverAround · 08/02/2023 20:02

feddupppp · 06/02/2023 22:01

Well, even the help I do get, gets resented / judged by others who ' did everything alone ' and don't respect people who get help sometimes.

Well, I did mostly everything in my own with no help since I divorced but I won’t give you a bad time.

I realised after exH and I split that what had me exhausted was not dealing with the child, house chores and work on my own but the amount of energy I wasted and disappointments I suffered trying to get my exH to help. Just a fortnight after he moved out, life was easy, DS was a dream and the house was immaculate. I suddenly surprised myself sitting in the living room at 7pm with absolutely no chores to do…. It was not my child who Gad me exhausted but the manchild tripping me at every step.

oneproudmumma · 08/02/2023 20:33

I had a rotter of an ex (father of two of my DCs). As he didn't understand what I "did" all day, I put together a little spreadsheet for him as to how many hours I "worked" as a SAHM. With everything included - feeding, washing the children, playgroups, housework, washing, cooking, tidying up, shopping, ironing, I ended up at 60 hrs per week. He worked 40 hours a week sitting at a desk with a coffee.

So 60 hours per week - that's not even including sickness as when you have a sick child it's relentless day AND night.

Then we wonder why we're exhausted.

Your DH needs to step up to the plate.

Iamatissuebox · 08/02/2023 20:45

Adding to the already great advice - get as much outside help as you can. That nanny idea, if you possibly can start it now, before you go back to work, and get some sleep. Have an extra pair of hands when awake. Increase your cleaning hours. Get meal delivery service. Ironing service. Shopping delivered. Throw (his) money at it seeing as he’s not contributing in any practical way, to make life as better for you as you can in the short term while you work out what to do.

Madness101 · 08/02/2023 20:51

Wow OP I could of written that post! I’ve got 3&1 year olds and some days I’m amazed I make it to bed time! We’ve also had loads of sickness here and it’s been horrible with eldest off nursery for what seemed like ages. I was recommended to take a daily multivitamin and it has helped. If this is the first winter at nursery it is going to be so much worse!

Saying all that no one has really given you tips on the practicalities. These are things I do which help but you can take or leave them!

  1. I have an organiser hanging off the seat of my car which I have a couple of nappies/packet of wipes/small toys etc in. If we need to leave the house asap I will have stuff for the kids. I also have my bank card on my phone so if I leave my purse/DC’s hide it I have a back up
  2. my change bag is backpack style and always packed with a change of clothes for both kiddos and nappies.
  3. I aim to walk out the door 10 minutes before I actually have to leave, this helps as it means if toddler has a meltdown I have time to let him calm down
  4. TV is your friend! Nothing worse than a 6am wake up call with 0 sleep behind you. Stick the telly on, make a cuppa, sit on the sofa and do nothing til a respectable time.
  5. Good mum groups are your friend, go to as many as you can. Honestly, no one cares if you turn up late, look like hell and are covered in puke and poo. We’ve been there!
  6. I invested in a really light double pram (Out N About) so that I would enjoy pushing it, makes going places easier if I know I don’t have to manhandle a pram.

Your Mother sounds like she needs to get off your back completely, I would probably end up saying “well she’s survived this blinking long, she’ll be fine!”

Homestart is an amazing charity who’s volunteers are amazing, your health visitor may also be able to give you advice.

You will get through this, you are not unreasonable in any sense, we all need time away and we all reach breaking point. Sending you a hug!

Rainbowclimbinghigh · 08/02/2023 21:00

I had two under two (22 month age gap) and it was really hard, particularly that first year. Eldest DC was in nursery two days a week and DH doesn't work weekends but we had no family support and I found the days I had both by myself so difficult at first.

But we did get into quite a good routine and now they're 4 and 6 it is marginally easier.

Velvian · 08/02/2023 21:04

Going back to work really helped me OP. After a couple of childcare breakdowns, I eventually got a nanny for my 2 pre schoolers. She was slightly bonkers, but a saviour. She would always turn up on time, even if they were ill (her decision) and I didn't have to worry about what was going on.

It is not just you @feddupppp

TeaFagsand · 08/02/2023 21:13

I really feel for you!

All I can tell you is that NO ONE gets it right and we ALL fantasise about gin and child murder. And eight hours uninterupted. If possible, farm out the kids and lower your standards. This difficult time will pass and things will be more manageable.

Natfrances · 08/02/2023 21:30

I get it!! I was a stay at home mum for 6 years and most days were so long and so hard and I was so tired!! I actually found it easier to stay in because it was so hard taking them out and my anxiety was through the roof!! They are now nearly 9 and 6 I feel like I have got off the longest roller coaster of my life. Like you I felt like I was the only one struggling and everyone else looked like they were having a easier time. Just take one day at a time, When they napped I napped I forgot about the million things I had to do. I used to keep saying to myself all the time " it will get easier " and my god it it really does!!!

StressedToTheMaxxx · 08/02/2023 22:02

Oh OP, it's really hard, isn't it. Believe me, people are not fine. I'm a single mum to a 9 month old baby, have been since pretty much day 1. I might look like I've got my shit together, but I don't.

Can you put the baby in nursery 1 day a week to give you a break? That's what I do, otherwise I wouldn't get a single second to do anything.

Hang in, we'll get there.

longdistanceclaraaa · 08/02/2023 22:05

It's not you. You are not the problem. I don't need to labour the DH issue as others have (correctly) made those points.

Young children are simply incredibly tough, more than I could ever have imagined prior to having them.

Mine are just 5 and just 3, so by means out ofthe woods but a bit on from you. It DOES get better, bit by bit.

I understand from friends with older kids that the game changer is when the youngest turns 4, and even better, 5. I keep reminding myself that my oldest has just turned 5, so while the pressure cooker is slowly releasing air, there is still very good reasons why I still find it all so tough.

You too will get there . You'll get your sleep back and you'll gradually get some space opening up, bit by bit.

Best of luck to you.

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