Exhausted

[mackerelsandwich]

I'm an exhausted single mum of 2, off work for a week annual leave and I've come down with a cold and weezy chest. Feel awful, out of breath everytime I move.

I've so much to do at home, but I'm in a constant state of guilt, need to do housework/ decorating/ organising/ making a nice home and wanting to take kids out and make memories.

Their Dad isn't involved much, a few hours a week, he's more of an 'Uncle Dad'.

I'm at the end of my thether, exhausted and all I see around me (well Facebook) is families having fun on their holidays. I can't afford to take them anywhere.

Not sure what I want from this post other than having somewhere to vent :( thanks for reading if you got this far

Have you tried one of the fly lady/organised mum type websites? They are really motivating and encourage you to spend about 30 minutes a day on stuff. Little and often is the way to go when there's a mountain ahead I think so anyway

I don't have any children, only work part time and probably spend at least 2 hours a day doing housework and my house still isn't perfect.

I honestly don't understand how people with kids do it! Especially on your own. So hats off to you OP you're doing great.

First of all it's impossible to have a perfectly tidy house, usually as you do one thing another thing falls apart, it's a juggling act so let go of the idea of perfection.
Second stop being so hard on yourself, what's important at this point in your life is that your family are safe and happy, having a show home can wait until they are grown up a bit.

I agree that having a routine really helps, so do bathroom and bedrooms one day, living room and kitchen another, quick runaround with the Hoover everyday. But what's really important is that you cut yourself some slack and give yourself some time to relax too.

Also remember people only post the good bits on Facebook they might be at the beach but their house is probably a tip

Yeah, and their kids are probably fighting/whiney/etc and they never post that either!

Drop your standards, just keep your house sanitary and get out and enjoy your week off!

Get the kids helping you, start young, I’m sure they make mess so they can help clean up.

Honestly, leave facebook.

I went on a holiday a couple of years ago, there was horrible weather except for one day. When I got back, my boss was surprised, she was like 'my friends were at a place nearby, their facebook pictures look like they had an awesome holiday!'. I showed her the pictures on my phone - they were all rubbish except the one beautiful day. Her friends had just posted pictures from that day.

Social media is so deceptive, we all need to 'be living the best life'.

Don't feel guilty about taking the week to relax and recover. The housework will still be there at the end of the week when you're more ready for it (btw, I love the organised mum method). You're doing a great job raising your DC on your own.

Thank you. I left Facebook today actually when I realised how it was affecting me. I tried organised mum method before but didn't stick to it, I'm going to try it again. Thanks all for replies.