To put the TV on and tell my kids to leave me alone whileI do someDIY (they are 2 & 4)

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Yesterday it finally got to me.I spend all week working, shopping, cooking, cleaning and looking after 2 pre-school children. I feel like I don't have much of a life apart from that. I am a fairly newly separated 'single' parent. My house is half finished as my husband and I split in the middle of the project. Tried to get on with dismantling/ assembling and moving beds around yesterday so that I can ready the house to get a lodger so that I can try and pay the mortgage. Even that impossible with being driven mad by the kidsjumping on it all, shouting mummymummy etc. I lost my temper because I can't do ANYTHING i want to do and repeatedly kicked the changing table (not with a kid on it). ARRGH. ...What to do, AIBU to want some ruddy peace to get on with something? Need to do loads of painting- even going to B&Q to get the sandpaper with both kids is all too much what with tantrums etc ... My mum said I was being unreasonable and I should not try to do it until the kids are asleep but i am knackered by then and want to sit down.

TBH it isn't going to happen

Can you find an enterprising 9-12yo that wants to try babysitter (while you are in the house & responsible)

My DD (11) is advertising this very service at 50p an hour

no

While you do DIY?

I put the TV on and tell my kid to leave me alone while I put my feet up.

Oh God I totally sympathise. I am a single parent to a 1 year old and also have loads to do to the house. Can your mum help, or does she live far away. It would be great to have someone to take over the kids for a whole day so you can get things done.

YANBU, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. your mum could come over and help you rather than making this sort of unhelpful remark...

I felt terrible, especially once my mum had blamed me for the kids acting up because I was ignoring them.. I am exausted, it feels like a horrible treadmill that is going too fast and I can't get anything done except the basic care/cleaning etc...

My mum looks after the kids 3 days a week so that I can go to work. It makes the difference between work being cost effectiveand not, as I pay her a token amount, but she is 63 and can'tdo much more than she does - she does babysit sometimes too, but ofcourse her looking afterthemwhile I am working doesn'thelp me get other stuff done. The young person idea is good - I have a 15 yr old neighbour who might entertain them for a bit. Katymac, I doubt you are in Jersey or I would ask your DD!

Well I could always move (I could fancy Jersey & I got told this week the only reason I'm not full with a waiting list half way down the road is because of where I live)

Shine on crazy diamond, I will go to lone parents bit, didn'tnotice it before...

I think it's important to remind yourself that you are doing great by just coping with work and the kids.

Could you pop into B+Q on the way home from work one day?

Sorry, X post shineon, No such thing as tax credits in Jersey, if you are hard up they just make you chop wood in return for crusts of bread here!

Come on, you know you're not!

Your Mum is right, to a point, they are being a pain in the backside because they want to spend time with you and it would be best to do it when they are in bed.... however, back to the real world... buy a few new DVD's and have a nap do some DIY. Pretty much whatever it takes to get you through this and get your life a bit more sorted isn't going to hurt them!

Anychance their Dad can come over and do some as his children are still living there and are still his responsibility?? Even if you take them out while he's there??