To.just feel so overwhelmed

[Dogknowsbest]

Does anyone else ever feel like this? I keep on promising myself a day of rest and relaxation but there are 2 big issues.

The first is that I work full-time in quite a demanding job.
The second is that I have 2 boys who are teenagers.

I constantly feel like I've got so much to do, that I don't have time to have a weekend just relaxing and doing nothing.

My ex and I share custody and to be fair, he's quite good but the way we worked it out when we separated is that we both had one weekend night so on that day I'm doing laundry, ironing, cleaning and catching up on stuff. Last night, I had a bit of a blow out, woke up this morning with a massive hangover and just wished that I could have a break from it all for like 6 months, just so I could sort my life out.

I constantly feel overwhelmed.

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Drinking though and then wasting half your free day feeling rough is a bad move.

Treat yourself better. Eat well, sleep as much as you can, cut down your drinking. Then you’ll feel better able to cope.

Teenage boys are capable of doing a share of household tasks.

I don’t really feel like a day of R&R is realistic in my life during term time but my kids are much younger than yours!
Surely you and the boys could pitch in together and get the jobs done on the day you have them so that you can have the other weekend day to yourself?

Teen is a big range. At 13 they could be doing some jobs around the home, any older and they could be doing a lot more. You don't need to be doing it all by yourself.

I was a single parent with a stressful full time job so I get it. But I delegated a fair bit to my teenagers at the time. They'd prepare some meals, put on a wash load or run the hoover round. Nothing too overwhelming but it was a big help to me. And it wasn't detrimental to them in any way.

Because that sounds like a brilliant and fun way to destress 🙄

What's the actual custody split op? Could the boys help with chores whilst you're sorting stuff? Can you shove a wash on late and a tumble drier on early? Basically work the week they're at their dad's so the weekend is less busy?

Well, it depends on the person. I feel shit and stressed if I’ve gone out drinking and wasted the day with a hangover. I feel great if I’ve got up early, exercised, got through my to do list.

It's 50/50. They're 14 and 13.

My eldest makes an effort, will set the table, clear up after himself and tidies away at mealtimes.

My youngest has been having a bad phase - his room smells half the time and won't even pick up after himself. His attitude is quite bad to be honest.

I was a single mum for years and felt overwhelmed a lot , what I found helped was keeping on top of housework , cutting down on ironing , leaving the house as tidy as possible before bed , having as many early nights as possible and going out with friends every month for girly catch ups. It's hard work and teenage boys can be a total pain unfortunately.

Bet you enjoy letting your hair down in the moment though. Sometimes that’s more valuable than having a clear head the next day.