My School Run Meltdown

[philnteds]

I am sure this topic has been done numerous times elsewhere but 2 weeks ago I was extremely wound up after dropping DS and his friend at school, and today I was in tears. One of the mums tried to talk to me and I was just choking on a huge sob.
I can't put a finger on it I get so stressed about getting them to school on time. When I think I am organised something crops up at the last minute, I forget stuff, DS forgets stuff etc. and the moaning getting to school and back URGH, the scooter falls apart, someone falls in a puddle etc
Reading this back it all sounds really pathetic but I seem to have to go through this hell every morning (as thousands of other mother's do) but crying about it? Is this a slight over-reaction?!! and its only day two of the new term so help me Gd....why am I so crp in the morning? I do suffer with anxiety....

Oh, I feel for you phil. We quite often have dreadful mornings here too, where I end up getting totally wound up, anxious, irritable or shouty with the DC, and send them off to school under a cloud which is entirely of my own making. I hate myself for it. One of the biggest reasons is that I can't seem to keep off screens in the morning - have to check my FB etc, which I know is utterly pathetic and crap and I should just woman up and have some self-discipline about it. Very little is to do with things the DC are actually "doing wrong" - it's nearly all me. Yes, sometimes I'll send them upstairs to get dressed, follow them up 5 or 10 mins later and they've not even started yet and I'll get stressy, but I know the fault is all mine for sitting pissing away my time on the computer. I totally suck.

I try to lay out clothes the night before, lay the table for breakfast and make a start on the packed lunches the night before, then get the breakfast dishes washed as soon as they've finished eating in the morning. These things help ... if I ever actually do them, which I do not enough days of the week.

Hopefully there might be someone else along with some wise words ... I do understand where you're coming from, though. Do you think you could be depressed?

Can you get up a bit earlier ? Have a cup of tea and relax a bit before you get the children ready ?

Getting up earlier to have a quiet moment is a good suggestion. Have a list to tick off as you get things done. Write on this anything that needs to be ready the night before. Ask your kids at a set time after school what they need for school in the coming days & make a note. In the morning - School bag packed, clothes ready, shoes & coats by the door and door keys, handbag sorted. In the morning - up - nice coffee/tea, then get ready, wake up kids, breakfast for kids whilst you make their sandwiches, kids dress, lunch in the bags. Shoes & coats on & you are ready. Leave 10mins earlier in case of traffic and so you know you will be there in time. Good luck

Typing... I mean first in the evening and then in the morning iyswim

Are you getting enough sleep? Eating well?

Could you write lists with the dc and agree that you'll do certain things by a certain time?

Get the older one to help you a bit more and take a bit more responsibility? (easier said than done, I know)
I am a clock watcher in the mornings and I find it helps to say to dc's 'last chance for anything else to eat' or 'if you don't come and do hair/teeth/face now you are going in as you are' and 'if you are all ready by **o'clock you can watch 5 mins of TV'.

Hope it starts to feel better.

Thanks everyone for your tips. This morning was ok....but my son's scooter broke so he had to walk and omg the moaning and wailing...anyway....it is hard to face up to the fact that most of this misery is caused by myself also dawdling, waking up five mins late etc. I am not good in the mornings and the school have asked us to be there five mins earlier from now on!! I have to do this and keep smiling.....

Great - hope it's ok today as well.

Ah i feel for you. I too have anxiety, and the school runs get me also.
Its not over the top.

It happened to me today.
As easily as i regained control over the situation. It still caused a panic attack.
Many times i have been crying by the time i have actually got there.

Could you maybe be giving yourself too big of a workload. Is there something you could do to make this easier for you?
Maybe leavr the scooters - insist they walk.
Whatever is the easiest and guaranteed quickest way to get there - go for it. Even if the kids dont approve.

I struggled getting mine into school on time. The school suggested breakfast club to me. Sounds irish, if i cant make it for 9 how could i for 8:10. But it is so much easier. I can then get my younger son ready for school and get him there on time and then my youngest to nursery.

I can sleep through the alarm clock so have also had that issue. I set it off deliberately 10minutes before i actually want it set. So i can snooze it. Possibly twice...or three times.
Try and get your head down a bit earlier also, if possible. I stay ip late as i feel it is my only time. But i do know i feel much better getting an early night. The stress is far greater without a good nights sleep.