Virus after virus in whole family, what's wrong with us all?

[oneplusone]

I'm not joking, since the beginning of this year DS(2), DD(4), DH and myself have caught virus after virus meaning we have about a week of coughs/colds/infection etc then 4 weeks off, then a week being ill again.

DS seems to be bringing things home from nursery where he goes 2 days a week. DD doesn't seem to be catching things from school but from DS and same with DH and me.

I feel exhausted, I have no help at all with the DC's, DH is at work from 8am to 8pm and I think it's the relentlessness of it all that is getting to me. I barely have time to get over one virus when i come down with another.

I have had a very emotionally stressful 2 years and I know long term chronic stress can compromise your immune system but this is ridiculous.

I eat fresh fruit and salads regularly but probably not enough. What else can I do?

Please help!

Sorry to hear you are going through such a hard time oneplusone

no advice because we've had a similar winter and we've only got one dd! Just wanted to say that you have my sympathies - hope things improve for you soon.

We've set up our own business and it really has taken its toll plus I think this last winter has been particularly bad for most people illness-wise. Almost everyone I know had some sort of bug over Christmas.

Dd almost has constant cold/cough or other virus followed by me then dh in rotation. And we eat loads of fresh veg and fruit etc. It really gets you down doesn't it? Just praying for a normal week!!

Longing for spring here. Could you take an early holiday by any chance??

No help, but commiserations...we have a dd of 4.5, and one of 17 mos, and we've had a total of about 3 weeks since september when we've all been more or less well

Mostly dd2 and me, her because of being little and building immunity, me for no good reason other than total exhaustion, as far as I can tell. And ditto the fruit and veg, fresh air, blah blah blah.

My uncle is a virologist, and says its just an immunity thing - if you haven't had them, and are exposed, you will get them. Grrr.

Hope you're all better soon, and that spring is finally sprung!

hi countingthegrey, i think we do all need a holiday. But without the DC's! As otherwise it won't be a real rest for me and DH. But of course that will be impossible.

I'm glad you said this year has been bad for lots of people, IYKWIM, as I was beginning to think we all have literally NO immune system as we seem to catch everything that's going.

Elibean poor you! I am sorry, it's awful isn't it? I can relate to the sheer exhaustion bit but i know my emotional problems are probably playing a part as well.

I remember pre-DC's, I would hardly ever catch a cold, had no sick days off work etc, but recently I am definately ill more than I am well.

hi again oneplus! yes, think it is down to general sheer relentlessness of parenting (although I feel a bit of a fraud saying this with just one dd) but she does wake up at crack of sparrows. Dh and I are desperate for a holiday away too but we are penny-pinching currently so trips tend to be staying with family and we come back even more exhausted than before!

Our childless friends don't really 'get' this bit about child-rearing tbh (except when they come to stay and are "entertained" by dd's 5.45 am 1OOO-decibel "serenade" )

Do you have any friends/family you could do a ' holiday swap' with? Now dd is older we are considering doing this with my sister. We have her nephew for a week during summer, and then she'll take dd for a week. More difficult with more dc I realise ...