Does the exhaustion ever end?

[NeedSleepNow]

I'm a single Mum to three children aged 9-15. They live with me full time and go to their Dad's for 24 hours every other weekend.

I'm permanently exhausted, my house looks like a tip, I've only just bought it and there is so much decorating and DIY to do, I work full time and hate my job, my eldest needs a lot of help with school work with exams coming up, my middle child has extra needs (awaiting an autism assessment at the moment) and I feel as though every spare minute of the day is focused on her needs, and her problems are having a knock on effect on her siblings now.

There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, I feel like I'm drowning in work, life admin and my children's needs and emotions. It's a really lonely existence right now, I rarely see or hear from friends anymore. The kids and I rarely have time to go out and do fun things as the weekends are full of homework, housework and activities and I just don't have spare money for fun things.

Does this exhaustion and loneliness ever end? I just can't see any respite from it soon

Nope.

I can't give much advice sorry, but I just wanted to say that you sound like a great mum in a really tough situation, I'm really sorry things are so hard at the moment. I hope things start to get easier soon 💐

I suspected that would be the case!

Thank you x

Mine are now 20 and 16, and the exhaustion has definitely ended. Mind, I'm now a husk of a woman!

My youngest now spends a lot of nights with her bf so I have also just started having nights all alone - for the first time in two decades. Im enjoying it, and wondering if I will always enjoy it or get lonely in the future. I suppose the challenge is to rebuild a life that is not focused on children.

Same, mine are slightly older at 12,15,17, youngest has some mental health issues and it's so draining for us both. I actually love my job, or I used to, but struggling to concentrate as there are always a million other things on my mind about what I'm trying to keep up with. They don't see their dad, every other weekend sounds like it'd be a help. It's also so expensive being a lone mum of 3, can't afford to outsource anything which might help. Oh well, they will grow up soon x

I don’t get overnights until this week when due to a school trip I got three in a row and it was incredible! My house is tidy (ish) and I feel so refreshed. It’s so bloody hard.

Hi OP, could the kids help out with housework? That might help a bit - as living in messy surroundings can add to the stress.
after the exams could the eldest get maybe a babysitting job or other part time work and throw a small amount your way (not much as it is theirs, but just something small to help out?)
sell old clothes/toys/books on Vinted to have a bit of extra cash. And maybe it could go for a fun activity or to pay for a cleaner for 1 hour (I used to work as a house cleaner and you can get loads done in 1 hour).