Constantly tired - is this just a normal sign of motherhood?

[iwouldgoouttonight]

I've just realised that I've not felt refreshed and properly awake for ages. Today I can't be bothered to speak to anyone because I just feel too lethergic and I don't seem to be able to stay awake past about 9 o'clock in the evening (which is annoying because all the best programmes seem to be on after that!)

I have DS (15 months), work four days a week and do some freelance work some evenings. DP works evenings and weekends so I do a lot of the childcare on my own then.

Do you think feeling tired is just normal for my situation or could there be something wrong? I don't think I do any more or have any more stress than most people. DS sleeps through the night so I'm getting eight hours sleep at least, I have my evenings to myself, I exercise regularly but that seems to be making me more tired rather than energising me.

I've been to the doctors and I'm not anaemic, they just said it was a sign of being a busy mum! Is that true? If so how many years will this last??!

IWGOT I work full-time and have a 20m old son and I feel permanently run down and tired. I also went to the doctors and had tests for anaemia, diabetes and other things and the conclusion was that I'm a busy mum who works full-time.

It does sound like you work hard, if you're working some evenings and doing childcare single handed all weekends.
Do you eat properly?

I do eat quite well/healthily, and don't drink too much caffeine/alcohol (wine makes me fall asleep now too!)

Maybe I just have to accept I'm going to be permanently tired for the next few years! Its just that I see other mums, some of whom have babies who don't sleep through the night, and they can stay up till way past midnight!!

Gosh you sound just like me. DS sleeps through (most nights, although not last night), wine makes me fall asleep, tv makes me fall asleep, reading makes me fall asleep, vegetating on the sofa makes me fall asleep. Although I've also developed a serious caffeine addiction in an effort to get through the day.

I'm really tired all the time as well - I know what you mean about feeling exhausted in the evenings! I think combining work and looking after the children is really hard - I am a SAHM who works as well, in evenings, and when the children are at home I teach at home, and just managing the timetable is hard, never mind the children!

My youngest is 18 months, and it's a lovely age, but it is exhausting - you still have to do most things for them, but they are more mobile than a tiny one!

Maybe they're not freelancing in the evenings and being sole carer at weekends though?

Midnight - my God! I haven't seen midnight for months.

For every 100 people who go to the gp complaining of being tired all the time only 1 will prove to have a medical condition!

Thank god for Sky+ or I'd never see America's Next Top Model

Yes I think it is just a consequence of being a busy mum. I too feel so tired that words fail me.
I was on the phone today to organise a new moblie. I spoke to a woman and said
" My phone thing's run out, you know the thing I have to have for a year, that thing, it's run out. I want a new phone"
"It's a contract" dp hissed as he was listening in to this pathetic conversation.
It happens to me all the time.
Sometimes nothing comes out of my mouth at all

15 months is a knackering age, too.
I was pregnant when dd was 15 months and it was hell - they're independent enough to need constant watching but young enough that you have to carry them around a lot.
I found that once you can control them by remote control (ie their language is good enough that sometimes you can make them do what you want verbally rather than physically moving them) and don't have to pick them up all the time, it's physically much easier.

I think that every period up to age three is a horribly hard slog.
I currently have 2 under 2. At least the just turned 4 year old is a bit more sensible now and the older children are much easier to deal with.

Period up to age three is hard slog?? - oh doom, ds is 3.7 and am still exhausted. Bedtime is approx 8.30pm for me!!!!

Bernie, it's all relative

Hi, have you been checked for thyroid problems. My sister was really knackered after having her wee boy. Went on for months and she finally got it checked out. Turned out to be thyroid problems.

No I've not been checked for thyroid problems. I wanted to check whether its just a normal part of being a mum before I pester the doctor!

Maybe part of my problem is that although I fall asleep easily (I'm in the office on my own this afternoon, considering sleeping under desk!) I find it difficult to actually relax (if that makes sense!). The other evening I decided to have a nice relaxing bath with candles and a glass of wine - ended up pacing the house waiting for the bath to fill, worrying that the candles were going to fall over and set fire to the house, then I actually knocked my wine over and the glass smashed on the floor so I spent my time in the bath worrying that DS was going to cut himself on little pieces of glass in the morning! Couldn't wait to get out and go to bed!