To be totally losing it after today?

[SleepDeprivedMama0]

Right, I need to vent because I honestly don’t know what else to do. It’s been one of those days.

Started off ok, nothing too crazy. Had a plan, you know? Get the shopping done, take the kids to the park, do a bit of tidying. Thought I had it all under control.

But of course, DD1 (9) woke up in a mood because she couldn’t find her favourite book, DS (6) had a full-on meltdown because I dared to tell him it was time to leave for the park (he wanted to stay home and play on the Xbox), and DD2 (2) had a tantrum over her Frozen dress not being the right shade of blue. Ugh.

Then we got to the park, and wouldn’t you know it, DD1’s shoe broke, DS somehow managed to fall into a muddy puddle while trying to “be like Spiderman,” and DD2 decided to take her shoes off and run around the park barefoot, screaming like a banshee. 😩

I’m so done. The whole afternoon was just chaos. No one was listening, I spent half the time chasing DD2, and the other half trying to sort out DS’s wet clothes while DD1 sulked about her shoes.

And now, we’ve just got home, and the house looks like a bomb’s hit it. I’ve got a pile of washing to do, the dinner’s half made, and it’s 5pm. How do you all manage? Does it get easier, or is this just my life forever? I’m starting to wonder if I’m really cut out for this.

AIBU to just want a bit of peace and quiet? Can anyone relate?? Help me, please.

i can absolutely relate so don’t worry. you’re not alone. Life with kids is hectic to say the least. of course you’re cut out for this you can do anything you set your mind too. Get a glass of wine and order a takeaway pop your kids in bed a little earlier & enjoy some you time. :)

Try not to stress about things that don't really matter, like falling in muddy puddles and running around like a banshee, that's just normal childhood

What were you expecting having 3 kids under 10 to be like?

I love the chaos and look for the fun and humour whilst appreciating they will only be this little once so I want to enjoy it. Change your perspective and try not to stress about the small things, nothing terrible happened and nobody got seriously hurt or traumatised.

I feel your pain. My ds7 got up at 5am. My dd5 who has a hobby on sat mornings whined. My dd3 was annoyed cos I wouldn't do something than she would specify. We went to said hobby. Walked round town. Can I get, can I get. Dd3 cried cos I told her she needed her car seat straps on for me to drive. I tidied dd5 and ds7 room (they share). Two hours later it is an absolute shit tip and if my 5 year old says "one minute" to me again when I ask her to do something I think I may scream.

Is it bed time yet?

Just write it off as one of those days and get them to bed as quick as possible so you can have some me time. Are you a single mum or can you rope your partner into doing some tidying and order a takeaway while you have a soak in the bath or lie down for a bit?

Is it nearly time for school holidays? (Not in the UK). I remember life fraying towards the end of term.

I would make dinner something every one would eat so I know that they had a good meal. And I might repeat it often. Plenty of bath time. Water play can be hugely relaxing. Try and smooth out bedtime. Lots of gentle cheerfulness from me. A pajama day or afternoon on the weekend if you can manage it.

I am sure you know all this but sometimes in the moment, it’s difficult to remember.

I remember those days well, I had 3 kids in 4 years so very manic. But I guess you just have to try to be kind to yourself.

Falling in muddy puddles and running round a park like a whirling dervish is part and parcel of being a child. They're meant to get mucky!

I remember one particularly nightmare day I'd had where the cat had thrown up down the radiator, my 2 year old was determined to kill himself by walking off the sofa, my baby was in a nursing frenzy so I could never do anything to stop him as he would always use the "other" sofa and my 3 year old threw her full bowl of cereal on the floor as her brother looked at her spoon.

Now they're teens and it's a whole other kind of angst.