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sick to death of it all

16 replies

bubblepop · 09/07/2006 21:23

the washing, the cleaning, my toddler giving me grief all the time.we are a large family, my older two kids are good but i just can't seem to train them to tidy up after themselves,their room is like a rats nest. no sooner do i get them to tidy it(with my help) then its back to a bomb site within 24 hours.im sick to death of mopping the kitchen floor, picking up crumbs,wipeing spillages,hoovering, picking up washing-its the same every day and there's no break from it all.i can't go on living like this, its all getting on my nerves. i feel like a maid, or cinderella.my best friend says its because im a sahm and im always there, looking at it all.i just feel like my life is too hard at the moment, and that i don't get any help. i can't tolerate my older two kids with their lively, cheeky ways, i can't wait for them to go to bed at night.mt toddler tires me out with her constant screaming and demanding, ive never known any thing like it.theres only the baby who is a joy and a pleasure in my life, she's so good and such a little darling.just lately ive been thinking of moving away as all my extended family are irritateing me.a few times ive thought it might be easier for me if i left my dh and was on my own with the younger two. i don't know whats goin on in my head,but i know im not quite right.

OP posts:
Perigrine · 09/07/2006 21:25

So don't do it.

Really easy

Toothache · 09/07/2006 21:25

Can't you get the toddler into childcare even just a couple of half days a week?

Toothache · 09/07/2006 21:26

Thats true!!! Just go on holiday for a week.... take the baby!

ginmummy · 09/07/2006 21:28

Oh bubblepop - don't know what to say to help, just wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all better for you!

Sending you a big hug!

bubblepop · 09/07/2006 21:30

i thought about putting toddler in childcare for a couple of mornings, but i feel it is the wrong thing to do just because im not really enjoying her at the moment. besides i can't afford it.

OP posts:
Toothache · 09/07/2006 21:33

Bubblepop - She would have a ball!!! And it would make her more of a pleasure when you collect her and see her beaming face.

Childcare isn't child cruelty you know! My dd plays in the ball pool most of the day and goes out to feed the ducks! If it would make you feel better then it benefits everyone.

HOWEVER, I do agree that with so many people in your house.... you shouldn't be doing everything.

Go on strike!!

ginmummy · 09/07/2006 21:34

You didn't mention your dh much in your original post - what does he say about things? Does he know you feel like this? Or hasn't he even noticed that you've had another baby?

Just because you're 'only' a sahm doesn't mean that he can't do his fair share of the practical things like housework, and maybe you could try a reward scheme for the older two using household chores and pocket money/treats as a starting point.

bubblepop · 09/07/2006 21:50

toothache, maybe i'll give the playgroup thing a bit more thought.
ginmummy, i don't like to bother my dh too much about it, he's already stressed at work and drinking too much, we have had words about it. he loves us all dearly and is a fantastic husband,but there's a lot of maintainence around our house for him to be getting on with as well as working full time.he's great with the kids, but our toddler drives him mad aswell.he says he does'nt know how i do it. to be honest i quite resent his freedom and my lack of it...

OP posts:
bubblepop · 09/07/2006 21:51

also, he's naturally untidy so it doesn't bother him

OP posts:
Toothache · 09/07/2006 21:54

Its definitely worth considering. I know my toddler is a TOTAL nightmare at the weekend when she's stuck in the house with me. I just hav e no patience at the mo. And my 5yr old is pretty demanding too. I'm sure they'd love it if I offered to take them to their Nursery for an hour or so!

Notquitesotiredmum · 10/07/2006 13:26

Bubblepop

Totally agree with the others. Do consider the playgroup idea if you can afford it. It saved my sanity.

I had a friend who really couldn't afford childcare, so she did a bit of cleaning two evenings a week and used the money to employ someone to clean her house one morning a week! She only did it for a while, but loved the change in routine and found cleaning a peaceful office floor much less stressful!

biscuitdunker · 10/07/2006 14:14

I remember feeling exactly like this a few years back.

Sounds like the first thing you need to do, is to let the house go a little bit and get out a bit more. Working like a slave to keep the house tidy (then having to stand back whilst everyone unravels it all again) is just pointless, heartbreaking and a complete waste of time.

How old are your eldest two children? are they old enough to start helping around the house?

I am a firm believer that children should understand about cause and effect and that they should learn to face the consequences if they don't pull their weight (I have 4 children and our house is a constant stream of activity, friends traipsing in and out and lots of mess) however I do expect the children to help out aroud the house.

My eldest 2 are expected to clean, polish and hoover their rooms, my 7 year old hangs out the washing and my youngest (aged 4) is often asked to tidy away toys, books etc.

They are all expected to help carry washing/toys upstairs and to set/clear the table at meal times and scrape plates etc.

Then there are the little things that start to build up, if one of my sons uses the loo and forgets to flush/wipe the seat etc, they are asked to come back home (if they have gone out to play) to come and sort it. I see no reason why I should have to do that, when they are perfectly capable of doing it themselves.

I picked them after school once as we needed to go to the supermarket, they all made such a fuss and complained and moaned about the fact we had to go shopping that I turned the car around and came home. They all had bread and butter for dinner that night and some fruit. The simple fact is, if we don't shop, we don't eat! and I absolutely will not drag 4 whingy children around a supermarket!

I know that this sounds strict, but we dedicate a lot of time to our children, we let all their friends come ound to play and happily share the contents of our garage/shed/toy room etc and this creates a lot of extra work for us.

Now you might think that my house sounds really well ran and tidy, infact the opposite is true, it's a chaotic mess and I have had to learn to live with it but at least the children will grow up knowing how to take care of themselves and pull their weight so to speak.

You say that your husband is under a lot of stress, fair enough, you don't necesarily expect hime to put in more then he already has, but he should at least be supportng youy in any decisions that you make with reagrds to routine, household chores etc.

Good luck with it, this phase often passes and once your youngest is at preschool, you will at least hve a bit of time to yourself.

Def try and find some local playgroups etc as they will help to break up your day and take the edge of things.

Thinking of you...

youknowwhat · 10/07/2006 15:00

biscuitdunker, that's one of the best answer I have seen on MM ! Probably too because you have had the opportunity to see it all already when we are still trying out what is working and what is not .
I too sometimes feel totally depressed at the amount of time you can spend tying up etc .. to see all your efforts just wiped out in the next few hours.
I supposed my way to deal with it was to find something that I could do for myself. I have set up my own business and work part time now. It just cover the cost of the nursery but during these 2 days I am myself again. Howver, I know some peole who are getting involved with the shool, are doing some patchwork etc ... Whatever you enjoy doing that has NO relation with being a mum or a wife.
I would strongly advice too to go out, try a toddler group or go to the park but get out of the house. Your toddler won't be able to create any more mess, you will get some fresh air and be able to meet other adults whilst he is playing.
It can be very difficult if both you and your DH find it difficult at the moment to deal with your toddler. try to create a bit of space for yourself.
Good luck !

biscuitdunker · 10/07/2006 18:34

thanks youknowwhat,

just reading through my post again and I sound like a complete tyrant! But honestly my house is so messy, that Im sure friends only come round because they can then go away again feeling better about the state of their own houses. There is only so much one person can do though!

What kind of business do you run? Working part time around the children sounds great!

youknowwhat · 11/07/2006 10:06

I am running a community magazine/ business directory for my town. It's an interresting job because you can meet lots of people doing very different things. You can organise yourself to work around the children and call people when you have a bit of peace. It's very flexible.
Dowsides : you need to be organized and self motivated !! Ready to put yourself forward and not to give up whe people are saying NO.
Really good with 2 children. I am not sure I would have the energy if I had 4 like you or bubblepop !

bubblepop · 17/07/2006 21:49

thanks for the replies you lot. xx

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