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Mental health

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Original poster

How on earth am I supposed to do it all?

15 replies

sparkler · 14/08/2007 11:42

Just come home from a wonderful, relaxing week camping in Cornwall. Now back into normal crap routine of everyday stuff - mess, kids arguing, 1001 jobs to do.
I have about 50 loads of washing to get through following the holiday - it's peeing down with rain here today so no chance of getting it dry. Kids are bickering non-stop and wanting my attention so I can't get on with anything. House is a tip where kids are home for school holidays - no matter how much I have asked them to clear up when they have finished with something, it seems to go in one ear and out the other.
My step-dad is in hospital and mum doesn't drive so I feel I have to offer her lifts for visiting hours - again something else I could do without in the nicest possible way.
I'm ready to scream.

OP posts:

NineUnlikelyTales · 14/08/2007 11:50

The holidays are nearly over and you will soon be able to get your housework done again. As you have so much to do, why don't you accept that you are only going to be able to do 20% of it and just concentrate on the essentials.

Could you do a deal with the kids where you set a timer and all tidy up as much as you can for say 30 minutes, and at the end of it do something fun together where you give them your undivided attention?

I know how you feel about the house being a tip because I am the same, having a very clingy 11m old at the moment and not being able to do much. I find it easier to just accept things as they are for the time being.

Oh, and have a large G&T - most things seem better after that I find

onlyjoking9329 · 14/08/2007 11:52

scream away, don't worry about the washing. it will not multiply if you leave it a while. just do what has to be done for now.

Original poster

sparkler · 14/08/2007 11:53

Things seem even worse here because DH is working in our garden - all the patio pulled up so when anyone goes outside they drag through half the dirt from the back garden. When kids go back to school I have kitchen fitters coming in for two weeks to put in our new kitchen, then there will be even more mess.
I'm going to stick dds in a nice warm bubble bath in a minute and let them play while I have a shower. Time out for all of us.

OP posts:

MrsScavo · 14/08/2007 12:02

YOu and I are in the same place right now Sparkler! I had a long hot shower and some chock chip cookies,- I'm ignoring the house work and am on MN instead!. Just think how lovely your kitchen will be when it's finished!

Original poster

sparkler · 14/08/2007 21:44

Things aren't any better here tonight. I ended up getting shoes and coats on and we went out for the afternoon. Couldn't bare to look at it all any longer.

OP posts:

elkiedee · 14/08/2007 23:50

Are there any laundrettes near you that do service washes and can return everything to you ready dried?

How long does your mum need to visit the hospital for, and could you ask her for her help as well, say dealing with the kids while you get on with housework, or helping out with the housework. Is that not an option?

Going out for the afternoon seems to me like a sensible option, ok it's not going to help you catch up with housework for now but it doesn't seem like being at home is helping. Maybe if you go out your kids can let off steam somewhere else and at least not be creating so much chaos at home. And you all get a bit of a break from it.

Once they're back at school and you have a new kitchen, you can get a handle on things then.

BirdyArms · 14/08/2007 23:56

Go through your washing and pick out one load that needs to be done now, ie anything that needs to be worn this week. Leave the rest til the sun comes out again.

Original poster

sparkler · 16/08/2007 16:21

I finally reached the bottom of the washing pile. Put the last two loads on the washing line and went out. While we were out it peed it down with rain.

OP posts:

lucyellensmum · 16/08/2007 16:36

get a tumble dryer?

lucyellensmum · 16/08/2007 16:37

sympathies though, i hate the coming back from holiday feeling, although, not had one for a few years so wont have to worry about that, one not looking iminent either i do know what you mean though, its like the bloody fourth bridge

Original poster

sparkler · 16/08/2007 17:28

lucyellen - I've got a tumble dryer - it's been working flat out and I'm dreading the electric bill. Trouble is quite a lot of the stuff we have can't be tumbled. My radiators are full up with clothes, the airer is about to collapse.

OP posts:

lucyellensmum · 16/08/2007 17:32

sparkler, breathe!!! treat yourself to a drink tonight

Original poster

sparkler · 16/08/2007 17:35

Sounds lovely. Off to Slimming World tonight so no drinkies for me unfortunately.

OP posts:

lucyellensmum · 16/08/2007 17:40

i wont tell if you wont

elkiedee · 17/08/2007 10:44

Well done on getting so much of the washing done in difficult circumstances, hope the weather brightens up again. You can do what you can do. Take care.

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