To find being a working mum sometimes really tough

[Maybaby12]

I work full time and have a 19 month old.

I have been really unlucky, and maybe it's more common than I think but for the last year I've had bug after bug since my child started nursery. On second cold of the month with a hacking cough and sore throat. Had bloods done and there's nothing else going on, just catching it all

She is also not sleeping well the last month, I don't know what the hell has happened but she's waking multiple times a night and it's been awful.

I'm absolutely shattered. I work full time, and I'm on my knees with illnesses, no sleep. DH helps a bit but I feel I carry more of the load.

I'm finding work really hard, and eventually I would like to to progress at work but I don't know how I'll ever manage to do that with being ill all the time.

Is feeling this tired normal? Did you have to just plod along at work until they get older?

I don't recognise myself anymore, and it's getting me down.

I went back to work FT a year ago after my second maternity leave and have to say this year has been horrendous for my marriage, finances and mental and physical health. My husband does at least half of everything at home but my job is demanding. I am overweight, always stressed, scraping by on 5 or 6 hours sleep a night every night. Miraculously I've done ok at work but everything else has paid the price. We've had a run of childhood illnesses too and it's been so hard to manage. No family help and working hours childcare only.

Sitting here in my kitchen looking at piles of mess everywhere (with kids happily eating breakfast, thank god) I genuinely don't know how I'm going to get through another year of work. But so reluctant to quit having worked this hard to get to a senior role.

I think this year has been the worst year for bugs tbh . I have three children who are all way older now and they’ve caught a lot of stuff this year and us! I get embarrassed to re work but op if you are sick you are sick.
Tbh and maybe this is just me but I don’t think it actually does get magically easier as they get older at all. I find it so so full on with school, v v long holidays, my dcs finish school at 1.30 (younger one) and 2.30 and only afterschool open for one hour and even that is now closing down soon. V v little childcare available where we live and we have zero family support. But I do have three children so if one is sick another can be sick a week later etc etc . I don’t think it gets easier but I think your health is absolutely paramount. I’ve been neglecting mine so I’d focus on building yourself up as much as you can; early nights , vitamins, exercise or fresh air where you can. Good luck op especially if you have more kids!!