How to avoid burning out...

[Mamaofdos]

Tomorrow will be my 12th day of staying in the house social distancing due to Coronavirus pandemic. I have an 9 week old who is breast fed and quite unsettled throughout the day although sleeps well throughout the night. And a 3 and 5 year old who wake up when husband goes to work. So 6.30 🙄🤦‍♀️ Husband has been on call with NHS for past ten days.

Tonight I’m wide awake. I feel anxious and have woken up with eye infection - vision blurred. Also feel like I’m about to get throat and ear infection.

What can I do to stop myself from burning out? How can I avoid getting not well?

Oh @mamaofdos that sounds so hard! I also have children those ages and a newborn (7 weeks). It’s so relentless right now, as much as I love them, and my husband is around more than yours. Taking care of yourself MUST be the priority here. Try to let go of any expectations on yourself above getting everyone through this. If the kids watch documentaries and do some mathletics or something that is plenty of education for now.

I’ve drawn up a schedule. It includes broad areas of focus as well as basic tasks, meal times, tv time etc and covers the whole day. I’m not wedded to them actually doing any of it but it helps to set expectations so I’m not constantly asked for tv or food and means I don’t need to keep thinking of what to do next. I just get them to look at the schedule. If it says ‘outdoor time’ I chuck them in the garden, ‘creative time’ I dig out a craft kit or the duplo. Importantly it includes tidy up time just before tv time so they’re motivated to help clear up once a day.

Once my husband finishes work he pitches in with bedtime for the kids and every evening he takes the baby for a couple of hours before I begin the night shift. It helps to know I’ll get at least a small block of time to get ready for bed unmolested and some sleep.

If this isn’t helpful ignore it all. This is so hard. If the kids are grubby and watch too much tv that is fine for now. Take care of yourself first. You matter too.

@DorotheaHomeAlone thanks for your advice ❤️ Think we are going to try and have a chill out day today. Thankfully feel a bit better today. Will make a point of having some time to myself tonight. Hope you guys have a nice day today xx