SAHM's - Are you tired all the time!

[WazzaWoo]

I am a SAHM to a 19 mo DD, I find I am constantly knackered, and could always sleep!!
I am starting to think it is half running around after my DD all day and the fact that I am a SAHM, almost partly being bored! some days with no adult conversation or wet days where you are stuck in all day.

Would love to hear from other SAHM's to see if you feel the same!!
Thanks

Are you eating properly?

By that I mean not just a bite of a sandwich and finding it curled up an hour later, or a few spoonfuls of cereal then finding it welded to the bowl when you go back to do the washing up.

When I take my own advice about healthy food and making sure I eat with the DC when they are eating, I feel much more alert and energetic.

It's a faff going out when it is raining, but try to have an adventure indoors if you can't face a welly walk and a chat at the local shop. By making it more interesting for yourself too the day will pass a lot quicker.

Have you joined any toddler groups? Does your library do child based activities such as a music session or rhyme time? These can be a real lifeline as you will be meeting some like minded mums (hopefully) and it takes the pressure of you too.

If your DD has a nap, try to have a lie down then or at least do something for yourself such as reading; watching a favourite DVD when you are ironing rather than having CBeebies on can be a mood lifter too.

Also encourage your DD to look at books with you, then she will want to look at them by herself as she gets older, it will open up her imagination and lead to a lot of creative play. It also doesn't cause an enormous mess like some craft based activities (that is what play groups etc are for) !!!!

Thanks greenhill, no I'm properly not eating well enough to be honest! So im sure that has alot to do with it.
Thank you for your other tips, we will try them!!
Yes I go to a toddler group on a Tuesday and we see alot of family during the week.
I will try and eat better and see if that helps!
Thanks for your advice.

Yes, being a SAHM is knackering and people often don't realise this. I am one and I am knackered so you are not alone.

I'm not knackered all the time no, I think it's important to eat well and to get out and get fresh air etc for yourself as well as for the LO's. Take care of yourself :)

Yes! It's hard work and in my case DD was an awful sleeper (better now) which didn't help. Agree, the tiredness is a lot easier to deal with out of the house, with other people if possible. By the time DD is in bed for the night I am on my knees physically and mentally!

Yes, I am. Mostly all my own fault. Because I am with the children all day (at the moment esp in the school holidays) the only time I get on my own is after they have gone to bed, and they don't go to bed early.

So I end up staying up later than I should to enjoy the peace - to watch TV, MN, knit. All things that are difficult/impossible with them around

Moaning- I know what you mean. You get so tired but when they're gone to bed it's your only ME time so you end up staying up way too late, then the DCs get up at bloody sparrow fart.

No Im not knackered all the time.Im at home at the moment and I think its the easy life compared to anything else.

BeeBee- I don't think it's easy, but I do love it.

beebee12 do you have docile children and a cleaner? Or are you on maternity leave from a stressful job and enjoying doing things at your own pace?

I worked in a long hours culture work environment so made the transition to being available for the DC 24/7 relatively easily. I've always been a poor sleeper too, so was already used to that aspect of parenting.

Yes because my brain has slowed right down and energy levels are up and down because I snack on crap.

A job and more protein in my diet would probably sort me out.

I have been a SAHM for 10 years, the youngest of my 4 is at school now but DH works away a lot. It's not the being on my own with 4 children, a dog and the responsibility of running our home and lives which wears me out, it is the lack of anything truly stimulating.

I have 2 kids but usually I work with children.No definitely no cleaner and the kids arent docile they just like me playing and running around but its not hard or tiring imo.

SAHMing is a lot easier than most low paid work like childcare, bar work etc imo.

BeeBee- well I've done low paid bar work, waitressing, office jobs with long, hard hours and tight deadlines and nothing has ever left me as tired as when the DCs finally go to bed. Mine are 2 and 6 and very noisy and demanding.

I love it though, it was mine and DH's choice for me to do this and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Maybe get a few bloods checked? Blood count, thyroid, just in case you're anaemic or hypothyroid or something. Easy enough to sort out.

Oh I was when my youngest was a tiny one still! I used to lie on the sofa in the afternoon for a nap! She's 4 now and it's much easier because I can do things without interruption!

I think the constant care of someone else is exhausting!

It all depends on what your used to.I go places and my mum moans that soft play is really loud but once your used to loads of kids its second nature to not notice it so much I think.

Well we do try and go out every day unless there's a blizzard. I figure I need to wear them out and so if I wear myself out they probably should be worn out too.

Take a multivitamin/floradex - you may be anaemic and/or lacking vitamin D.

For the me its the lack of variety in the day, I always have more housework/gardening/cooking to do and do that rather than allow myself to have fun. I also have a DH that is away alot which really limits me working but I'm going to start looking for work even though we dont need the money.

I agree.I go out everyday no matter what the weather.Just buy waterproofs for everyone and you can go woods if it rains.We are lucky cause I just take them down the beach.I have had only 3 days in my flat since I went off on maternity as I think that is what gets some sahms depressed

.I always have my smart phone though so on here for people to talk to when I dont have people with me in rl. Im in a wooden play area in the woods right now. I do actually think I would die without my phone

Yes ME!!!! I am going to try and get out for walk everyday from next week (older 2 back at school) and must try and eat 5 a day. After I have my baby, I am going to get fit and do something just for me, running?

I have never been as tired in all my life since having kids. I literally fall asleep at night as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I make sure we are out every day-very often the park in any kind of weather and I love to meet up with friends or go to the library.

bee-do working mums not get depressed then?

Pink- I dont mean depressed as in serious depression used wrong word mean diwn.I feel down when in all the time even withoit the kids.We havent got a garden so do activities every day it makes you feel good imo as you get exercise, fresh air and the kids get worn so they go to sleep.

Thank you for all your replies! Yes I am sure that some of it is due to lack of adult conversation and tired simply due to having a crazy DD!!
We do try to go out everyday, but my partner works long hours and so most days still seem long and would love abit of time to myself! Im sure we will get there in the end!!

Thanks all x

Maybe I'm missing something, but is it really that difficult to find adult conversation? I think I would go bonkers if I didn't have it so I seek it out.