Grumpy/pissy mood - normal part of new motherhood?

[clevername]

Hi all

This is my first post – apologies if I haven't chosen the right place to start a thread! Just looking for some advice/reassurance from some more experienced mums…

My daughter is 7 months now and I’m really enjoying being her mum. I’ve noticed, however, a general pissy mood hanging over me – my friends all seem a bit shit (I’ve seriously gone off a couple of the them and things feel a bit strained and awkward with the others) and I’m a lot more intolerant for life’s little annoyances. I find myself having fantasy ranty arguments with people in my head when I’m doing my hair in the morning! I don't feel depressed (I've had little bouts in the past so know what it feels like), in fact I honestly would consider myself really happy; I'm just not as patient and forgiving with other adults as I was before I became a mum.

It’s like I have a finite resource of good-naturedness and I’m using it all up on my daughter…

Is there anyone out there who can reassure me that this is a relatively normal part of adjusting to becoming a mum and that it will pass?!

Thanks.

Yep! I'm still like that and DS is 18 months! I'm just generally a little bit less tolerant of banal crap from other people. I feel like I am using up all my patience on DS - and I'm not naturally that patient to begin with! - so there's very little in my reserves for anything else.

I've seen it said many times on here that this is maybe a sign of depression, but I don't know. I think it's sometimes also that parenthood requires so much stamina, patience, having a word with yourself about not throwing your own hissy fits... That you're just so alert all the time, and even though you might feel happy and relaxed, you're up to a higher level of intolerance for anyone else.

I've had to give myself a sharp talking to when I know I've been generally giving off a tense/defensive/irritable vibe to DH...It's easy to get into that kind of rut. So I keep myself happy and relaxed for those I love.

I think it's down to tiredness a lot with me.
I am like a toddler - if I have not had enough sleep, or I am hungry, I am snappy. I can manage food of course , but a good night's sleep is a distant memory.

I am like this too- my dd is 6 months and I have a toddler. I have lots of fantasy ranty arguments too! Sometimes I conjure up scenarios where someone criticises my parenting out and about and how I will respond! Tis a bit weird now I think about it!

Wow I used a lot of exclamation marks there...how annoying.

Thank you Zebras and crestfall... very reassuring to know I'm not the only one.

I hope exhaustion is the culprit for us all!

(and I don't think it's particularly weird that we have fantasy arguments, crestfall, especially now I know it's not just me - it's got to be better than actually having the rants at real people...)

Don't worry we all do it - sometimes the sensation of anger is enjoyable and a release for pent up frustration and let's face it - for some of us it's the only time we get a word in! Motherhood is all c

Sorry clicked 'post message' by accident! Motherhood is all consuming and other people frankly are annoying and often selfish so it's understandable we feel like this when we are overwhelmed and scared all the time that we aren't doing a good job. So have your imaginary arguments if you need them but be careful when doing your hair - put the straighteners down if you get too animated!!!

oh heck yes I use all my patience on the children trying to to kill them when they are being wild and naughty I have about 5% patience left for the rest of the world and it doesn't go far!

I think as well since I try not to shout at the kids and can't have a rant to them about how naughty they are all the frustration comes out at other people! We have a patch of grass across from the house where people let there dogs poop but don't pick it up I find opening the window and shouting at them to move there dog shit is a great stress reliever :)

I like fantasy arguments, I always win. :)

Yes, sleep deprivation can make a person cranky. I get cranky and impatient with people outside my family. DH and DC get all my patience, everyone else gets what's left.

Actually, I'm pretty ok with other people, as long as I don't get parenting advice. I may not have a perfect system worked out, but don't act like you're suddenly an expert on my life. I live it, I know what works best and what doesn't.

Going to bed at the same time as your DC at least once a week - and having an afternoon nap where poss is a real mood saver. It makes me feel nicer and think nicer too. I think we are all shattered and there's nothing left to give often. Give it a go and see xx

I have the best fantasy arguments, I totally owned the MIL last week! :)
I'm 5 months in to motherhood and I can't tolerate things I used to anymore either. I too think that motherhood is so consuming that all other shit just either don't matter or needs to be dealt with quickly and efficiently so I can get on with mothering! Most people have been pissing me off except baby and my best pals.

So pleased I popped my mumsnet cherry and posted - feels great to be in good (if grumpy) company...

I suppose we have it the right way round, really - I'd rather my daughter didn't bear the brunt of my grump.

Thanks all...

I have this too, especially when doing my hair for some reason!