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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask if anyone else does not feel overwhelmed?

107 replies

Highhigh · 05/04/2026 13:37

Does anyone else just NOT feel overwhelmed?? Off the back of the overwhelmed parenting thread. I just can’t relate to a lot of it. We both work full time, 2 dc, kids activities. My house is tidy, I get to relax, maybe my dc are too easy going? I don’t stress easily to be fair…but surely I’m not the only one who feels this way?! Anyone else?

and no I’m not bragging or boasting and yes I know everyone is different but I’m asking is there ANYONE else who is just NOT overwhelmed or stresses with life?

OP posts:

Delatron · 06/04/2026 10:50

TheHellHoundBlackShuck · 06/04/2026 07:31

I think having plenty of money makes a huge difference to how manageable things feel- not just in terms of practicalities but just that base underlying knowledge that that side of things was ok. I think money worries are really destabilising.

I also think "working FT" covers a lot of different situations, some more stressful than others. I found being a corporate lawyer with small children very stressful- almost never home before about 9pm (sometimes much later), trying to coordinate with DH about relieving the nanny etc etc. When I switched to a role which was more 9-5 everything felt incredibly easy, but of course it's all relative. For me this worked perfectly- I didn't feel overwhelmed at all despite working FT because I knew that I'd be home by 6.30pm and able to switch off from one mode and switch on another- busy, yes, but not overwhelmed. What was much harder and did feel overwhelming was having competing incompatible demands (a nanny who had to leave by 8pm, a client who wanted me there until midnight- this was in the days before WFH).

That's just two variables- there are many others- so I'm not sure that simply comparing the headline situation is that meaningful.

Edited

This is the most accurate post.

Full time with a short commute and home in time to get kids from an after school club they enjoy? Sounds perfectly lovely.

Try a long commute, a DH that travels abroad and doesn’t help. No after school club etc etc.

Also people just have different stress tolerances - doesn’t make you any better OP.

Neuro diversity can play a huge part in feeling overwhelmed. If someone has spent all day masking at work then they will be more exhausted than a nieto typical.

Have a bit of compassion and stop judging others - you have no idea what else is going on in their lives. Your post is just like a big boast.

southcoastsammy · 06/04/2026 10:50

Would also add I grew up in poverty, but with a loving family, and grew up in a country with war /conflict so my expectation of what we need or want now to be happy/fulfilled/live well is very pragmatic and my expectations aren’t particularly high!
For example - friend from kids school went to private school and had ski-ing hols and overseas hols every year but is now on a more modest ( still VERY Middle class) income and can’t afford private school and it’s ski- ing OR abroad holiday now and seems to find it all a bit unfair.

HitMePlease34 · 06/04/2026 11:01

I find who struggle with school admin difficult to understand but then I view it as a high priority (booking appointments, playdates, trips, payments). I think that is where it can differ, where you rank things for importance And the amount of effort you put into them. It's a balance where one thing rises, another will sink.

Statsquestion1 · 02/05/2026 18:45

@Highhigh i have just remembered this thread as there’s another one going on the general life overwhelm. So for anyone who doesn’t feel overwhelmed…

Grabity · 02/05/2026 18:53

I was hoping I’d pick up some valuable tips or advice from this thread.

scoopofmintchocchipicecream · 02/05/2026 19:01

Lougle · 06/04/2026 08:37

Not if she's in full time education. The Government changed the law so that full time students can only get UC if they have already established limited capability for work before their course starts. The assessment process is hideously behind. We submitted forms in November. Some people are just being told they won't be assessed.

Show quote history

I know DD2 has now had the WCA but in case you were wondering, your DD2 will be doing a non-advanced course, so from the September after her 19th birthday, you wouldn’t necessarily need to go down the credits only ESA route or wait to change course like you would need to if under 19 &/or on an advanced course.

From the September following the YP’s 19th birthday, an application for UC can be done directly, which should only be refused if the course is not compatible with any work related requirements on her individual claim. This can be done by either getting the course included in the work related requirements or because there are no requirements. Here is Contact’s booklet which explains more about the differences.

Statsquestion1 · 02/05/2026 19:02

Grabity · 02/05/2026 18:53

I was hoping I’d pick up some valuable tips or advice from this thread.

in what areas do you need help?

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