Is it normal to feel so frazzled so regularly?

[Camelsshouldnteatcrisps]

Just wondering really...I have x3 DC's 5 and under (LP obviously).

I've managed a good mix of activities I think, but my goodness I have been frazzled at times. It has been non stop, I don't mind because my mind blanks out the bad bits where all of the DC's are tired, covered in soil from the garden and fighting it has been good fun at lot of the time.

Something a friend said yesterday made me wonder if I was overacting rather and that perhaps I ought to man, or rather 'woman up'.

Any thoughts?

I feel frazzled just thinking about having three under 5's. I take my hat off to you (I'm not wearing one, but you know what I mean.)

Wow... 3 under 5 - you deserve a medal to manage that on your own!! I have a 3 year old who at times drives me to despair! It's easy for other people to comment on how we do it with our little ones, but dealing with every element, alone, is really tough... so no need to man up... pat yourself on the back!

Is your friend also a lone parent of 3 under 5's? If not then I wouldn't let her/his comment bother you. I'm now a LP of 2 older ones and it gets hard doing everything on your own.

I was a sahm when my two were both under 5 and it was very hard even knowing that h would take over once he got in from work so I think you're doing a brilliant job on your own.

Since November 2011 I have been a LP to 2 DC who were 4 and 5 then, and I was 4 months pregnant. I am still a LP the DC are now 6, 5 and 3 months.

I get the exact opposite reaction to that of your friend from everyone, they all say things like 'I really admire you, how do you do it'.

And yes I sometimes feel like I might explode with everything there is to do! To me and people I know you are feeling completely normal!

Thank you, I am normally very good at ignoring her comments, she has x1 very well behaved DC, I get the impression that she thinks that my DC's are ever so slightly feral.

I've got 3 under 6's. I'm SHATTERED!!! And I have assistance at times from my parents. Embrace the frazzledness- you have a right and possibly also a halo....at least mine are at the age when they can all try to kill each other play together nicely.

My three were under five when I became a LP - I do remember going to bed at seven with them two or three nights a week just to cope with the exhaustion I felt

I have done the thee under five, currently an LP to a 7,6,3 and 2 year old. It's perfectly normal to feel frazzled or if not I am as abnormal as you!

On top of school and nursery runs, there is the housework, the cooking, managing finances, dealing with demands from the kids, endless washing, after school activities, school projects, birthday parties, doctor and dentist appointments, haircuts, even maintaining the garden! It's bloody endless and if you are managing to scrape by with all of the above to contend with you certainly don't need to woman up!

Gosh, I'm not a LP (just spotted this in active convos) so have to imagine that extra pressure but the thought of 3 under 5 makes me feel shattered, I think your friend could be more of a frenemy.

I now feel like I need to man up after moaning about our 2 (one of whom is fairly sensible at age 9)

I've felt frazzled many a time with 2! I find the having to keep them occupied exhausting on top of work/study/housework - although I'm an appalling house"wife".

No need to man or woman up - you're doing grand!

I'm an LP to three under fives too, and two of them are under 2....... Eldest is Five, middle one is 23 months and youngest one almost 5 month old....so I am feeling your pain/ exhaustion ( and dare I say, a sense of achievement and almost exhilaration sometimes) Must be the sleep deprivation With all the good will in the world, your friend is an arsehole, and you are amazing Please, for the love of baked beans, do not let their comment affect you! And join me in smiling through it and fighting the good fight apart from losing against the laundry mountain

I have also gone to bed at 7 in the past, glad I am not alone in that!

Having two in nappies is a killer, so is the lack of sleep, although, fingers crossed etc the youngest is now a good sleeper...he wasn't when ex-p left and it nearly killed me (well it felt like it at the time).

It is almost exhilarating at times, I love it when friends come round with their DC's and there are even MORE DC's round the table...I must be mad, most of my friends are fab to be fair, the ones without DC's all know where the tea bags are kept!