How do you manage to parent when stressed/upset etc?

[Shitshit]

I've got a lot going on at the moment.

I'm barely speaking to the DC, never mind taking them out or enjoying them.

The tv is on lots and most meals are simple ones like chicken dippers.

I'm bathing them once a week :(

How do people cope? I just want to be on my own until things get better.

Thank you everyone. They're back at school/nursery now so I'm slowly getting my house/routine back, which keeps me positive.

DH came home earlier than expected yesterday so I talked to him about it and he agreed he needs to support me more with bath times, even though we're both knackered in the evenings!

We bathed the 2 year old with her new bath toys and she was happy.
Showered the 3 year old gently and shockingly she loved it!
The 6 year old showered himself.

We told them at on Sunday nights we'll do the big bath with bubbles and toys and they'll all go in together.

How did I not think of using the step?! We have one right next to the bath! Feel a bit silly now!

Also it may sound extreme but we redecorated the bathroom over the weekend (tbf it was awful; think mould, no blinds and peeling wallpaper), so I'm hoping the new bathroom will make it nicer to bath them. I also cleaned all the manky bath toys and have bought a flexi tub to throw them all in.

Didn't really think of just letting them wash their hair with water and saving the shampoo job for once a week only - that will make it easier.

For tea since I wrote this we had chicken pie, mash and veg, cowboy pie and veg, pesto pasta with tuna and it's pizza tonight, then roast chicken with all the trimmings tomorrow and pork chops the next day so that's looking up :)

Wow! Great

Sounds great! I want to come round to yours for dinner ;)

Aww, thank you, first smiles in ages! :)

I honestly don't think children need a daily bath. It can't be good for their skin. Mine have a weekly bath plus they have swimming lessons once a week, which qualifies for a bath. they are 7 and 10, and it's only a year ago they just had a weekly bath.

Now about parenting and coping - I so know what you mean. All my strategies and parenting theories go out the window when I am under pressure/stressed. But the fact that you worry shows that you are an excellent parent. Doubt is just part of it, it's healthy. Not very nice, but it has to be there.

Lower your standards and think long term / the bigger picture. When they are grown oup and have moved away from home, what would you like to remember? That they had a daily bath? It always helps me to think that way, to get my priorities straight! I got it from a management book, The 7 habits of highly efficient people, by Steven Cowey. In this book you are asked to think of yourself on your deathbed and what you would like to remember. Very few people think "I wish I stayed at the office longer every day". It's a bit morbid for daily life to think of yourself nearly dead, so I like to think of myself when the kids have left home. And I do not think I would be proud of a high level of hygiene ;) Try it, it works wonders, especially when you are stressed, it helps you to see beyond the stress. I think stress in many ways is the inabilit of seeing the bigger picture.

(must say I was very pleased myself to see the back of my kids this morning after the long Christmas holiday!)

ps get a slowcooker!

Ooo yes, slow cookers are great for bulk food! You can also get a timer so it comes on at a certain time - we've done loads of spag bol and stews in ours. Sil bought us a halogen oven for Christmas (I don't think they're expensive) and you can just wack a chicken in there with some veg and potatoes, leave it to do its thingn and it's ready. But it sounds like you're getting on top of the meals anyway - sounds delicious!

I do actually have a slow cooker but not sure how to use it! PIL bought us it two years ago, DH used it a few times, then we moved house and lost the instructions and it's collected dust ever since!

I have, however, just found the instruction manual on google, and it looks like I can make pork chops in there with soup? I'm out for tea tonight with a friend, but may attempt this tomorrow...

Anyone go any other recipes/ideas?