Having a really bad day

[Zombieof3]

I’ve currently got Covid, however, as I’ve had it for five days, my work expect me back in tomorrow despite me feeling rough and I can’t afford not to go in either.

Ive got so much to do, I have about six bags of clean laundry to put away and get all the kids school stuff ready. My house is still a tip from Christmas. I need to wash stuff so I have clean clothes to wear to work, I need to shower myself and the kids need to as well.

im currently sat on my bed feeling completely overwhelmed with everything and I’m aching all over. I’ve spent the last ten minutes sobbing and feeling sorry for myself, instead of sorting stuff out that needs to be done.

im so exhausted, I honestly feel like this is a massive unbearable task when I know it’s really not. How can I force myself to sort this all out. I’m failing at everything all the time right now

I feel like I’m failing everyone around me. I have no idea how I’m meant to keep up on top of everything, even with my partner doing most of it, it feels so difficult. I’ve got a full time job, 3 kids in 3 different schools, I’m doing part time history degree, a house to look after, whilst trying to keep up with the kids extra curricular activities and homework. How is there even enough time in the day to achieve this, because it don’t feel like there is but parents all around the world do it whilst having a hell of a lot less support than I do. I’m just so crap at everything.

Can you definitely not get signed off for a few more days or another week doesn't sound like you're fit to go back at all

How old are the kids? Can your partner and one of the kids out the washing away?

I could most likely get a gp to sign me off, however, I financially cannot afford to do it. I’m finding it incredibly hard to just put food on the table at the moment with the massive hike on prices and Christmas etc…

I’ve just asked my 7 year old to put her clothes on hangers and put them in her wardrobe, she was happy to help but god knows what it will look like when she is finished, I’ll probably have to do it anyway.

my 11 year old won’t do most things, it just makes it more difficult and not worth the fight.

clothes for work & school prob do need doing but Xmas stuff doesn’t. You cant do everything if you have covid. Who expects this of you?
Sunday is day of rest- no need to shower yourself or kids until tonight. If you shower tonight I’ll let u off one in the morning before work- just a sink wash!
there isn’t anyone shouting expectations at you.
give the kids & yourself this Sunday off.

I think of COVID like the flu - it’s more likely to take 3 weeks to get over it rather than bouncing back in a couple of days. It can also affect your mood just like flu. So with that in mind, be kind and gentle to yourself, you’re not letting people down, you’re not well. Normal rules don’t apply right now and you do need to give yourself a proper chance to recover. Deploy the kids where you can, ask other people to help if they are available and let some stuff slide - concentrate for now on what absolutely has to be done today and by you. As a long covid veteran I’d really recommend taking time off to recover if at all possible, it can really drag on if you don’t which can also have financial implications down the line. If you really can’t not work, make sure you rest as much as you can - a couple of weeks doing the absolute bare minimum/missing activities etc will not be the end of the world. You matter too.

I feel your pain. Both my children, husband and myself have all had covid one after the other starting from boxing day onwards, it feels unrelenting. The kids are better now thankfully, my husband is about 90% better and I'm the last as usual still in the thick of it. I haven't slept right for 4 days due to symptoms and once the sleep deprivation starts the anxiety goes berserk and I have started spiralling out of control today and feel physically and mentally horrendous.
I've tried so fucking hard to push through to not let the house/laundry/errands fall behind but I feel like I'm chasing my tail and killing myself in the process.
You're not alone, you're certainly not a failure and my god woman I most certainly could not do a full time job, a part time degree plus house and mother duties without burning out very quickly.