I’m trying my best to juggle work & my kids. I’ve completely lost myself. House is a mess, we need new carpets for a start, lots of things are broken. I’m overweight, don’t do any kind of beauty treatments or go to the gym. I’m constantly exhausted and so is my husband as our baby does not sleep and we both have to work. I think I probably could make more of an effort to do things for myself and this would in turn help my family but I never have the time/ energy/ money to spare as I feel that would be better spent elsewhere! Does anyone else feel like this? How do you help yourself? I’m so stuck in a rut!! I seem to get like this every few months, then I talk myself into being kinder to myself thinking it doesn’t matter, my kids don’t care etc but then this feeling comes back again! I wish I was one of those people who looks good all the time. I know other mums who have surgery ie boobs etc and go to the gym every day and I find myself wondering how they manage it!
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Mental health
anonqrtb · 21/02/2024 15:43
Hi OP,
You are certainly not alone - i imagine 95% of mothers feel the same!
I know i do, and i only have 1 DD who (thankfully) sleeps well at night. But life is still just exhausting, working, hoursework, mental load, finding time for you/partner/friends/family all whilst being fit and cooking meals from scratch.
Its EXHAUSTING. and I can't do it - so I've stopped trying to be honest. Some days i have more energy than others and will make more of an effort with my appearance, other days i look homeless.
What i have done is started getting my eyelashes/eyebrows done every 6 weeks. I dont care about the cost or what else it can go on because its something for me for a change.
Once a week i will have a long bath with a face mask on and just be.
Ive started allocating myself little time slots and allowing myself to be selfish. I have no words of wisdom for you because i dont know how/when this feeling ends (if it does) - but just dont afraid to be selfish occassionally - we all deserve it!
5Bagatelles · 13/04/2024 04:26
How are you feeling now? You are definitely not alone! Being a working mum (mine are 3 and 8 months old) - or a mum full stop - can feel EXHAUSTING. It's also tough when the kids aren't sleeping so you have my full sympathy.
One thing that's helped me: when I plan my weeks, I start with the things that are just for me (nails, spa, hair, meals with friends, I go swimming twice a week) and then I plan the rest of my week (work, kids, meals, time with my husband, weekly shop etc.) around them. Doing it this way means that time to myself is non-negotiable and the rest of my life revolves around me-time. It's a shift in mentality that has been a total game-changer. I am happier, more energised and getting weekly exercise (which helps when you're feeling exhausted). My work hasn't suffered (in fact, I've become more efficient with my time) and I feel more present with my husband and kids.
Here are a few other things that have helped me:
-WFH/ Flexible work schedule (mine, not DH). I appreciate this isn't an option for everyone
-DH has had to step up at home. He is home for dinner/bath time everyday (but works until midnight to make up for it) and he (batch) cooks all our meals
-Robot vacuum (life-changing)
-Cleaner once a week
-Taking time off work to do a regular declutter of the house (has done wonders for my mental health)
-I am ruthless about cutting meetings out of my schedule. I worked out along the way that 90% of my meetings could be an email or a 10-minute phone call so I do that instead. 30-minute meetings can be 15-minute meetings if we cut out small talk and stick to the agenda. I aim for 5hrs or less of meetings per week.
I hope this is helpful. I hope you're doing better. These are difficult (but rewarding) years.
5Bagatelles · 13/04/2024 04:26
How are you feeling now? You are definitely not alone! Being a working mum (mine are 3 and 8 months old) - or a mum full stop - can feel EXHAUSTING. It's also tough when the kids aren't sleeping so you have my full sympathy.
One thing that's helped me: when I plan my weeks, I start with the things that are just for me (nails, spa, hair, meals with friends, I go swimming twice a week) and then I plan the rest of my week (work, kids, meals, time with my husband, weekly shop etc.) around them. Doing it this way means that time to myself is non-negotiable and the rest of my life revolves around me-time. It's a shift in mentality that has been a total game-changer. I am happier, more energised and getting weekly exercise (which helps when you're feeling exhausted). My work hasn't suffered (in fact, I've become more efficient with my time) and I feel more present with my husband and kids.
Here are a few other things that have helped me:
-WFH/ Flexible work schedule (mine, not DH). I appreciate this isn't an option for everyone
-DH has had to step up at home. He is home for dinner/bath time everyday (but works until midnight to make up for it) and he (batch) cooks all our meals
-Robot vacuum (life-changing)
-Cleaner once a week
-Taking time off work to do a regular declutter of the house (has done wonders for my mental health)
-I am ruthless about cutting meetings out of my schedule. I worked out along the way that 90% of my meetings could be an email or a 10-minute phone call so I do that instead. 30-minute meetings can be 15-minute meetings if we cut out small talk and stick to the agenda. I aim for 5hrs or less of meetings per week.
I hope this is helpful. I hope you're doing better. These are difficult (but rewarding) years.
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 09:19
Definitely!! He really does not want me to do anything other than work, clean & childcare it seems
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 10:22
I’d have a make or break talk.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 09:19
Definitely!! He really does not want me to do anything other than work, clean & childcare it seems
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 12:09
It’s a cycle with us. We have been together 10 years and I’d say twice a year we have this talk. He just isn’t supportive. Doesn’t say nice things to me, doesn’t support me emotionally it’s like he just doesn’t have it in him. He says oh yes go to the gym etc etc then when it comes to it (like today) he says “em I don’t think so” when I said I was going to the gym, because he didn’t want to be left with the baby. I just laughed and went anyway. I’ve come back now and they are both napping.
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 10:22
I’d have a make or break talk.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 09:19
Definitely!! He really does not want me to do anything other than work, clean & childcare it seems
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 12:09
It’s a cycle with us. We have been together 10 years and I’d say twice a year we have this talk. He just isn’t supportive. Doesn’t say nice things to me, doesn’t support me emotionally it’s like he just doesn’t have it in him. He says oh yes go to the gym etc etc then when it comes to it (like today) he says “em I don’t think so” when I said I was going to the gym, because he didn’t want to be left with the baby. I just laughed and went anyway. I’ve come back now and they are both napping.
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 10:22
I’d have a make or break talk.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 09:19
Definitely!! He really does not want me to do anything other than work, clean & childcare it seems
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
Cetim · 13/04/2024 14:49
Good for you.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 12:09
It’s a cycle with us. We have been together 10 years and I’d say twice a year we have this talk. He just isn’t supportive. Doesn’t say nice things to me, doesn’t support me emotionally it’s like he just doesn’t have it in him. He says oh yes go to the gym etc etc then when it comes to it (like today) he says “em I don’t think so” when I said I was going to the gym, because he didn’t want to be left with the baby. I just laughed and went anyway. I’ve come back now and they are both napping.
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 10:22
I’d have a make or break talk.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 09:19
Definitely!! He really does not want me to do anything other than work, clean & childcare it seems
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 16:03
Thanks! Then I cleaned the house while they were napping. We just went good shopping and he was moaning about spending his money. I only bought a few bits for the family over the weekend. I said just get food for the next 2 days and when I get paid on Monday I’ll do a big shop. He got loads of stuff for himself steak, salmon, vitamins, toiletries then had the cheek to tell me at the checkout he wanted me to pay half. We are married with kids like wtf?!
Cetim · 13/04/2024 14:49
Good for you.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 12:09
It’s a cycle with us. We have been together 10 years and I’d say twice a year we have this talk. He just isn’t supportive. Doesn’t say nice things to me, doesn’t support me emotionally it’s like he just doesn’t have it in him. He says oh yes go to the gym etc etc then when it comes to it (like today) he says “em I don’t think so” when I said I was going to the gym, because he didn’t want to be left with the baby. I just laughed and went anyway. I’ve come back now and they are both napping.
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 10:22
I’d have a make or break talk.
Mama1209 · 13/04/2024 09:19
Definitely!! He really does not want me to do anything other than work, clean & childcare it seems
Nonewclothes2024 · 13/04/2024 09:15
@Mama1209 your husband is part of the problem if he won't even change a lightbulb.
Could your cleaner do any extra time one week to sort out things like the oven ?
Sympathies, I've been there.
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