My god, being a parent is so fucking exhausting !!

[exhausta]

Christmas holiday you say ?What is a holiday when you're a parent ??

It's so bloody exhausting.

When they're at school, you have to get up at the crack of dawn, make sure they're ready and get them to school and yourself to work.

In your hard earned holiday, they wake you up at the crack of dawn anyway, then you spend all day cleaning up after them and cooking.

It's exhausting even trying to keep up with it all.

There's just never a break !

Mine are 5 next month and 2 and a half.

Tomorrow we are hosting family whilst also needing to manage the kids while prepping for guests etc.

Can EVERYONE relate ?

The kids are also just bored and frustrated.

Its like living with Chattermax (for Bluey fans). Actually, it's like living with two competing Chattermax's right now. I want to enjoy the magic but I have a permanent headache and its just a bit much.

Yeah I remember those days op. It was tough to do it all with a smile on your face and still remain cheerful.

Baddaybigcloud · Yesterday 19:16
Treat them like puppies. Up and out first thing for a run around - day always goes smoother. Doesn’t help with the non stop food prep though 😫

This. Our grandson is taken out every day, whatever the weather. Has been since he could toddle. Wandering about playing with sticks in the woods, at the playground on his bike, on the sand dunes with the dog, etc.

Then home and happy to play, draw, write, watch numberblocks or Bluey etc. til dinner, bath and bed at 7.

Our daughter and her husband are much more efficient, energetic parents than we ever were 😁

@unlikelychump I’m actually glad you wrote this , I feel like a freak of nature as I thought the middle years ( I also have a teen ) would be a total walk in the park but it isn’t …
They argue constantly about us doing anything. Also yes they might do their own thing but this involves screens , I can’t and won’t let kids kids on screens all day as that’s deeply unhealthy.
Also I loved when they were small and we’d all get wrapped up and go for a walk on the beach or to the woods , they absolutely loved it , I loved nap time , loved how we could go for and they’d be happy with crisps . It was just a lot simpler. I do agree that sleep now is amazing and at least they don’t need constant supervision as that was totally exhausting.
We are prob just at the tricky age where our youngest is only 7 and we can’t leave all 3 home alone . I think once we can it’ll be easier as we can have a bit more of a life back. Also I’m a teacher so the second I’m off they are too so it’s either work or childcare so we are totally wreaked (no family help). Fingers crossed it gets easier @unlikelychump

We had those ages for Covid. Home for months on end and both of us WFH (no furlough) and no school provision. All weathers outside play. Wellies and rain suits if needed. Chores. Packed lunches and snack boxes pre prepped. Some afternoon ‘quiet time’. And the. Challenges like treasure hunt or obstacle courses. They loved repetition at this age xxx

Mine are 10 and 7. My 10 year old has just found the joy of a lie in, but the 7 year old is up before 6am every single day no matter what.
agreed, it is exhausting.

Mine are 10 and 7. My 10 year old has just found the joy of a lie in, but the 7 year old is up before 6am every single day no matter what.
agreed, it is exhausting.

@ToffeePennie but surely you don’t need to get up with them do you?!

With my 7 year old, absolutely you do! He’s the sort of child to start a fire and walk away.

Can relate. I did it 6 times though 🤦‍♀️

I get annoyed every time someone says 'ohhh you'll enjoy the break!'. I have two weeks off (everything here shuts down).

I've been cleaning & prepping to host, trying to fit in visits with relatives who've come from interstate & manage DM's meltdowns & everyone bitching about who is bringing what tomorrow. Then new years day at another relative's house. Plus DD begging me to play games with her as well.

Then we'll be getting organised for DH & DS to go away on a hobby trip, which, of course, DH has left packing until the last minute & doesn't have everything they need, so off to the shops we go...

Then they go, I'm back to work & dragging DD to vacation care every day.

There definitely is no break!!

Everyone saying (in the classic “just wait” way) that teens are way harder, this has been my morning so far:

• After waking every 2-3 hours from when we went to bed, my 1yo decides to be up for the day at 4:45am
• 2yo wakes at 6 and has a complete meltdown as I opened her stairgate (which SHE had wanted to do, of course). Cue screaming
• Baby poos herself and gets very distressed at the feeling, more screams
• Half way through changing baby, toddler says they need a wee but as we can’t get there fast enough (due to changing baby/dad doing breakfast), toddler has another meltdown and wees themselves - guess what: screams
• 8am - baby gags on breakfast and ends up chucking up milk she just drank, cue more screaming
• Toddler asked for toast but has a meltdown at the fact I’ve brought toast, as now wants porridge, more screaming
• 9am - time to leave to drive to see relatives. Toddler refuses to get in car seat and bites me.
• 9:20am - Finally on the move. I haven’t even been able to wash my hair

Do you guys honestly, genuinely, look back on these days as fondly as you’re saying or are you blocking some key elements out 😅 I would bet a lot of money that teenagers aren’t actually harder than this. Emotionally draining, sure. But not harder?!

This! I have a 3 and 5 year old. The morning always starts with something active, up, dressed out the house, in the summer I’d be at the park at 7am 🤣

My eldest also loves a local holiday club and actually asked to go so I sent him yesterday.

I hosted last year and it didn’t feel so full on but my god I’m glad it’s not my turn this year. Although we did collect the meat this morning and when we get back I’ll stick the telly on/let then play and make puddings.

Okay so 3 and 5 sounds quite lovely. I think these must be the ages people mean when they say it’s nice taking “tiny ones” outside. Right now my 2yo would just have a tantrum and ask to be picked up, while my baby would scream at being in a pram and not being able to crawl around 😂 kill me

Not harder no, just a different kind of hard. So you may be lying awake all night waiting for a teen and worrying and then have a big row with them. Then they may refuse to go to school. You can't make them. You worry that they will never get a job and live at home with you all the lives. Etc.

I TOTALLY hear what you're saying, and of course it's not easy at any age. You have my sympathy
But having teens is a different kettle of fish. It's hard in a different way. At least when they're wee, you're sort of in control of your kids and can keep them safe. Having teens is a huge worry. I'd do anything to go back to the days when my 15 year old 'conformed' and attended school daily.
Anyway, it's not a competition and every stage has its pluses and minuses!

Don’t forget they were once 0 and 2, 1 and 3 and so on. I have done this everyday since my oldest was little and my stitches healed enough. I have a dog and walking the dog with the pram still happened religiously twice a day. It has just now evolved now with two children. I honestly cannot comprehend how parents spend entire days without leaving the house or going outside with kids. We would ALL go insane.

if your baby hates the pram get a sling/carrier. I loved the ergo 360 it was a lifesaver with my second. I used a wrap with my first.

Oh I didn’t mean we don’t go outside? I just mean it’s not as pleasant as you’re describing at their current ages.

Lone parent to three here - 7,8 and 10. Work full time and second day of leave. I can honestly say going back to work (which is hideously stressful) will be like going to fucking Chanpney’s. It’s only Xmas eve and I am already spent: literally spent up and metaphorically spent.
I am currently sat on the downstairs loo drinking my lukewarm cup of tea trying not to run from the house screaming to the nearest pub.
god job I love the little blighters.
Next task is to prise their pjs off and get them dressed so we can go and walk the dog.
we can do this!

I didn’t say it was pleasant. Just a necessary evil.

I've only had one teen so far and it is stressful but very different to the constant mental and physical stress of very young kids. For me it's been a lot easier day to day but when a problem crops up, it's serious, not within your control and a lot harder to fix.

I recall taking ours to see Holiday in Ice in Germany, early 1980s, hideously expensive last minute seats, very impressive with the Smurfs and a 747 etc., youngest, about 3, sat with arms folded, legs tucked underneath herself complaining, This is rubbish, I wanted to see that man and that lady what are champions. She meant Torvill and Dean!

Then you have to wait for grandchildren to do it all over again!

Yes but, I still find my 12 year old easier than my 3 year old!!

Oh my, my life would be so much easier with just my oldest.

Yep it was hard. But honestly, I would go back to having mine at about 7 and 5 in a heartbeat. They're 20 and 18 now and they're great but it's not the same at all. Easier for sure, but I miss the chaos. 🤣

My top tips in life to anyone are - only have one child, it's wonderful, and never host Christmas.
Next year have Christmas with just the kids and see family on other days.