Does it get easier?

[Maddie2019]

Why oh why is life so exhausting?! I think I have just realised I’m feeling totally burnt out, and looking at my options I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it! I’m sure my fellow mums may understand.
My routine -

Wake up at 6am
Head to work at 7:30
Leave work at 1730
Get home for 1830
Get my little ones dinner on, have bath time
And bed 2000
Get everything ready for the next day
Repeat

I do this for 5-6 days a week and spend the other 1-2 spending as much time as I can with me LO and DH

I am so exhausted! Does it get easier? This has been my routine for a year and I’m wearing thin. Now I know other mums do the exact same and even more! Does it get any easier or do we just accept the fact that this is life, and life really is purely exhausting?!

How old is your child?

He’s 3, but he’s sooo good! 😇

If everything is ready for the next day, why does it take 90 minutes from getting up to leaving the house? I'd look at that time, as an extra 30 mins in bed might help. Also is 6 days a week necessary? I'm self employed and struggle to say no when offered work but have realised that 5 days a week (up to 60 hours) is as much as I can do so have to refuse any more than that

It does get easier in some ways. When your ds is older he'll be able to do more for himself such as having a shower and putting himself to bed. My advice to you as a mother of two teenagers is enjoy the 1-2 days you spend together and don't sweat the small stuff because as he gets older it won't last. I barely see mine on the weekends as they are out with friends and having sleepovers. When they were younger I couldn't wait for them to get a bit older so they'd be independent and free my time up a bit more. Now this has happened it makes me realise how precious the early years are and how I wish we could go back and do it again.

It does get easier unless you have dc2, or more but I agree with @muddledmidget - why do you need 90mins to get one child out the house (presuming they will have breakfast at Nursery or Childminders) ?

I get up early so I can get myself ready/ have breakfast and spend 25/30 mins playing with my little one before I go to work so I get a little more time with him x

I get myself ready, have breakfast and then spend time with my little one before I go.

Unfortunately I alternate every other Saturday and we don’t get a day off in liu. I feel guilt because I love my job so don’t want to leave but feel like I need to find a middle ground, if there’s such thing lol.

I found it got easier as DD for older until DS arrived, but I did change jobs. I was doing a 60 hour week, sometimes 6 days and it got too much after a while to be honest. I really enjoyed the job, but something had to give.

I missed getting up and bedtime some days..

I don't see how this is sustainable longterm, 6 days every other week, and fairly long days aren't going to get easier until your little one is much bigger. Is there no negotiation room with work at all over the hours? Are they looking to recruit to fill a vacancy?

Unfortunately they are just the contracted hours for which the company offers. (Big nationwide company to, its crazy!) There is however talk of them changing at the end of the quarter so I’m hoping it can free up some time, if not potentially taking a cut in pay and going down to 4 days a week or looking elsewhere. I think it’s crazy the amount of hours expected from us 🤯

I feel for you op, I know some people would look at your schedule and think, that looks fine, but I would be utterly exhausted getting up that early and having such long days.

Do you have an hour commute each way?

I know you have said you love your job, but I feel that people who love their work/job can fairly easily love a different job (unless your job is very unique!).
(In my experience lots of people who hate work would hate all jobs that they are realistic capable of.)

In your shoes I would change jobs, find one closer and with less hours for hopefully more pay if you can!

Do you hope to have another child? How would you fit caring for another child in with your current schedule?