Struggling to enjoy parenting in the midst of life rush :(

[anotheranxiousmum]

I’m hoping I’m not alone here but does anyone else feel like they’ve lost the joy in parenting amongst crazy busy-ness and rush of life?

I have two beautiful daughters aged 2 and 4 and ever since I can remember I wanted nothing more than having children and a family of my own. Took 2 years to conceive DD1 so I over the moon when my dreams came true.

But recently I’m finding my days filled with me being a stressy mum, shouting to get my kids to do as they’re told (change, eat, etc etc) that I’m no longer enjoying the moments that are passing me by.

Any tips or help to be a more present, happy, mum please!!!!???

No words of wisdom but this is me!
I'd love to know how to stop being a stressy bitch

Parenting doesn’t have to be constant enjoyment. The pushing of all this ‘making memories’ ‘precious moments’ ‘enjoy every minute’ crap is just a modern construct to yet again make women feel bad.

With a 2 and 4 year old I’d expect a few fleeting moments of loveliness each day interspersed with a heavy helping of grind and drudgery!

It will be much better when they’re 3 and 5... and much better by the time they’re 4 and 6.

U sound like u need a little break
But I agree with mrscog although I love parenting it's defo got alot of hard stressful moments

V sad you feel this way

@toadabode exactly what I was saying. No, it’s not very sad, it’s a human response to something that’s a hard stage of life.

@Mrscog it isn't a 'hard stage of life' for everyone. I do think it's sad for those who think otherwise

That’s true - it isn’t for everyone, but for lots of people it is, and, as someone who has been there, it’s a very lonely place to be - we need to normalise parenting when it’s not fun and games to help people.

People are allowed to think it's hard. It isn't helpful to say that it is sad to think that way.

Yikes! Op I genuinely thought I'd written this word for word! I've had to ask my father in law to take for them a couple of hours this morning as my nerves are shot to bits. You're def not the only one.

I feel the same way. Had an awful morning yesterday, sat and cried once i had my toddler down for his nap and then gave them both the Kindles in the afternoon as just couldn't muster the energy for the stress. Guilt set in at about 4.30 and I bundled them in the car and took them out to where i keep my old horse for some fresh air. We bumped into a friend and ended up going for a walk, picking blackberries and having a good natter. Felt soooo much better for it. Ended up skipping the dinner prep stress and just bought them sausage and chips from the chippy on the way home that they ate on their laps...so no stressy dinner either (toddler has taken to screaming and throwing at the table)

Not sure how but managed to turn a crap day right around and i was actually in a good mood for bedtime. Maybe try ditching the routine for a few hours and just get out and away from the life rush? (Easier said than done sometimes I know, I won't tell you about my soft play disaster from last week or school shoe shopping, or the drs appointment )

I get it xx

I've only one DS (15 mths) but I often feel like a mum-shaped blur whizzing about trying to find odd socks and pack lunches etc, what's helped me in the rush (morning's/bedtime esp) is just taking a mini step back and ask myself "OK what's the one necessary thing right now?" I do that, then repeat and do the next thing. Does that make any sense? I feel like I'm always putting out fires otherwise (not real fires... Usually..)