So I just broke down in Sainsbury's...

[Babytalkobsession]

I don't know what's the matter with me. In the workplace I'm in control, assertive and confident. I've never cried at work. I just get on with it and have a reasonably stressful job.

But today (4th day on my own with DS as DH is away) I just couldn't keep my shit together and hold back the tears. I bloody hope no one I know saw me.

Does anyone else find this parenting lark relentless? It's exhausting, repetitive and constant! DS (15 months) refused to stay in the trolley, arching back, screaming etc so I got him out, tried to carry him on my hip (fucking impossible when we're both wearing waterproofs - like carrying a thrashing slippery octopus), I let him walk a bit, had to fetch him out of the warehouse... Just utterly disastrous. I think it's was the final straw after a long whingey weekend. He's had diorreha too so it's been a pretty full on weekend to be on my own. Every nappy has been a full outfit change...

I don't get why I'm finding it so hard though. Everyone else seems to love being a parent. He's actually slept through this week, after a year of awful sleep so I can't even blame lack of sleep..

He is awesome, don't get me wrong, I just struggle with too long on my own with him!

Am I the only one?

I'm still there and they're 8 and 6. luckily the cashiers are always on my side and back me up.

Internet shop. Never go in. Supermarket with children.

My DH has worked away periodically since the DC was a baby. If he went on a Sunday I'd be on my knees by Wednesday. I have two friends that would always take me out on the Thursday evening, just as I'd reached the point of no return. Was just enough to see me through.

But however bored you are, never take a DC to the supermarket. Ocado is yr friend.

Fast: my DD used to do that with her toddlers.
Abandoned toys by the checkout!

Being a parent is hard work. And no one admits it. If you admit in confidence to a good friend about a not so brilliant moment as a parent they make take you in confidence that they are guilty if the same or something similar.

We quite often used to give DS2 a punnet of strawberries or a pot of olives to keep him quiet (put the empty boxes through so paid for).

DH once took DS2 to Sainsburys on his own and returned something like 2.5 hrs later shellshocked and near broken. DS2 had a massive meltdown, ending up thrashing on the floor by the bakery, after DH said he couldn't have a sticky bun and DH had ridden it out for a full 45min. DS did not get his bun! He says he got a lot of hard stares, but also sympathetic pats on the arm from old dears and rueful smiles from other parents. The checkout staff even commented on it (humorously) at the other end of the store when he finally finished the shopping.

We now do all of our grocery shopping online. God know why we didn't when they were small. Probably foolishly clinging onto life as we knew it pre-kids.

Roll on 7pm and your glass of wine OP!