I. cannot. get. a. minute. :-( just a moan really, need to get it off my chest)

[TheLifeOfRiley]

DS is so full on and clingy. We are very close and have a great bond but sometimes he just overwhelms me.

I honestly cannot get a minute to myself. We have been out most of the day, very active and busy (kid stuff no boring grown up stuff), get home, make a much longed for cup o tea, cup of tea goes cold while I read timmy time stories and do timmy time bloody stickers. Put him a DVD on, he pauses it and wants me to draw the still for him, tea time won't sit still, bath time - usually get a bit of chill time in the next room with the door open while he madly splashes about but no - every bloody minute "mummy, mummy, mummy".

His dad has im Wednesdays for tea for a couple of hours (this was an overnight - ex dropped it and he only has him for tea at my suggestion), and saturday overnight.

I think it's with him being at school it is day and night and night and day - constant. [tired]

I know how you feel, it is really hard in the summer holidays, in this wether, so intense.

Insist on time by yourself though, even if only to drink your cup of tes. Just say "mummy is having five minutes to herseof, then I'll do stickers/read a book/whatever" Buy a 5 minute sand timer if you must, so he knows how long to leave you for.

Get him in the habit of giving you some space early on.

I'm definately going to have to clamp down, he usually will leave me be for 5 mins if I'm lucky and he's feeling co-operative but he tends to go a bit wild in the holidays.

I think I will use the timer that is very clear and definite.

Be back soon need to get him in his pjs

yes,i sympathise.....i am also a lone parent with 5 dc!

i have the youngest up at 7, am he's 2 and then the eldest doesnt go to bed til gone 11,she's 16......so no free time....and no dad for the older 4 to go to either!

Obviously in my OP I mean with him NOT being at school.

Well I have my timer on!

I am also going to insist he at least starts the night in his own bed (he's up and down all night and always ends up in mine).

Timer time was just interupted by him tripping him over a toy and hurting his foot and crying really loudly in pain. Sigh.

Oh well bed time soon!

ILoveTiffany it's hard isn't it.

I'm in a similar situation to ILoveTiffany, with 4 children 3-15yrs and ex has had 3 of them overnight for only 1 night in 15months.

I sometimes use going to the loo as an excuse to have 2 minutes peace and quiet, but even then the door often opens with the request "Mummy".

When I feel overwhelmed I try and remind myself how lucky Iam to have them and how precious they are.

Haha classic, I too used the extended toilet break to get a bit of instant me time, DCs are now a bit older so I can just tell 'em to "clear off for a bit" .

i often go to the top of the garden to do some weeding!! just for the peace

Do you ever say no?

It's an honest question, not a sarcastic one - I think that when they are babies and little toddlers it becomes natural to us to respond immediately to their needs - but as they get older they start insisting on things and levels of attention that they don't need, and we haven't let learned to say 'No'.

You don't have to be mean. Just say "You go and watch Fireman Sam or Timmy Time, I am having a cup of tea. I will come in when it has finished."

My children nag me to set up Wii games for them(every 10 minutes) and I have to tell then no, I'm a busy woman and actually, despite the media reports to the contrary, I'm not a domestic servant.

Do Not read Timmy Time stories while your tea goes cold. Say no. It's not reasonable. Timmy Time can wait with no harm done, but your tea obeys the laws of physics and will taste horrible at room temperature.

I cannot speak whilst I am having a poo.

That's a good policy, colditz, would have spared my blushes the day DD kept yelling 'Mum! mum!' outside the door when I was in the loo.

Established it was nothing important. Tried to persuade her to go away. 'Mum! Mum!'

Ended up yelling at max volume, 'MUMMY IS HAVING A POO!'

Noticed window open. Neighbours in garden.

Oops

Mehh, I have 3 DSs due to the laws of physics there's bound to be an argument every hour over something inane, or some top bunk sky diving injury that needs some attention!

And of course their all keeping track that each is treated equally to ensure there's no favouritism.

I find walks into the country with the DCs are also useful. However I'm lucky in that I'm on the very edge of town and about 400 yards from fields and country lanes.

Yes I do say no, friends often comment on that I am quite strict and confident in saying no/ telling DS off. I think I just feel tired and worn down, he is sensing it and trying it on in the hope that I crack.

He definately tries it on more when he is off school for school holidays, it's like all his restraint and patience (which he needs to employ whilst at school) flies out of the window!

It was silly of my to let my tea go cold, I think I was just exhausted but I do need to not let him wear me down.

He is very quiet and passive in a large group and retreats into his own world (except when he wants to talk at you about something), but when we are at home or out just the two of us he comes out of his shell and is so full on it exhausts me.