To think somethings got to give?

[doritstew]

I am in my first year of my MSc in social work. I am in my first placement which I love, it's definitely the right career for me, however, it is busy and it is stressful and I have reflections and uni work to do each week on top of placement.

I work 3 nights (5.30 - 10) a week and a morning every Saturday. I am a single mum to a 9 year old girl. I have two dogs, and two cats and a household to run.

I feel like it's a constant juggling act and im failing at one thing or the other. For instance, right now, my house is an absolute bomb site. My daughter kicked off at me this morning because I said her friend couldn't come round this weekend, she called me the worst mum in the world.

I feel like next week, I might have my house in order and my daughter all good but falling behind with uni work.

I literally feel like there is not enough hours in the day.

I could leave my job and still survive but it would be a struggle and I need references for when I qualify.

So do I just have to accept this is how it's going to be for the next couple of years?

You're not the worst mum in the world, for a start, and certainly not because you've got a messy house at the moment.

You are just one person, and you've got too much on your plate so what's had to give is the state of the house, which I'd say is a decent thing to de prioritise after child, work, study, pets, shopping, cooking, laundry, and having any kind of time to, oh I don't know, have a bath or remember your own name once in a while?

Give yourself a break, you're doing your best, she will realise this as she gets older and you look back on how far you come and wonder how the hell you managed it! x

So dd has got a few days to tidy her room before the week end.. Let her mate come. Surely an occupied dd gives youpre time to actually crack on?make up 2 packed lunches Friday night and leave them to it.