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Things are not going well!

11 replies

harman · 23/10/2004 10:32

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
myermay · 23/10/2004 10:43

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PuffTheMagicDragon · 23/10/2004 11:33

harman, I remember feeling awful when I was on my own for the first time with just 2 (dh was away on business for a weekend). It's little wonder that you feel the way you do given everything that you are going through!

Try to be kind to yourself - REST tonight with the children away - find something on the telly or a video which you can try to chill out to. Long bath while baby is asleep. Anything to take your mind off your worries.

Frizbe · 23/10/2004 11:43

Have you had a look at homestart
www.home-start.org.uk/site/index.asp
They may be able to help?

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Freckle · 23/10/2004 11:56

What sort of property have you got, Harman? Is it local authority/housing association? If so, they should help out with essentials. If private, you might be eligible for a crisis loan from the local benefits office. Have you looked into your benefits situation yet? If your only income is £300 pm maintenance, then you will undoubtedly be entitled to some form of benefit.

duster · 23/10/2004 12:25

Harman, I don't know you, I'm quite new to mumsnet. I have 2 dss, aged 8 and 9 and 1 ds aged 10wks. And I'm single. I too had lots of discussions of how things would be when the baby arrived. They claimed they understood. I tried to explain I would be very tired and have less time for them. yes they said. They were very good about it. Until the baby arrived and they all but claimed to have no knowledge that I was having a baby (he did arrive a little earlier than planned though) With mine, I think the reality is VERY different from how they imagined. So they were a pair of nightmares to begin with. I constantly remind them of our previous talks and slowly slowly seems to be going in. Things are much improved now, and they love their baby brother.
You are NOT an 'evil hideous mum.' It takes time for them to get used to things. What were they like before when a new baby came along? It sounds as though you've all been through the mill, so (((((HUG)))))
I'm sorry you're worried about how things are going to be in your new home. But it will be YOUR home. I was very worried about how i was going to cope, petrified actually, so my sympathies there too. Everything gets easier with time.
Sorry I can't be of any help on the financial side.
Many congratulations on the birth of your no doubt gorgeous baby!

Skate · 23/10/2004 13:55

Harman,

4 on your own!? Admiration galore!

I've got 3 at home (3.5, 2 and 8 weeks) and it's bloody hard work. I'm feeling a bit 'evil' too at the moment as I don't feel I'm managing to divide my attention very well. 2 year old is still in need of help for everything and sometimes I end up shouting cos I can't do things while tending to newborn. I'm rushing the older ones through tea as I'm trying to keep newborn in his routine and end up getting very annoyed with them when they aren't quick enough eating ( - it's just very very hard when you have a new baby. Don't feel like I've done nearly enough activities with the older 2 and they are pretty much left to the train set and trashing the house!

You're not alone and your kids still love you to bits and pieces - you're their world and they really won't think anything of being shouted at a bit! Don't forget that what kids need most of all is just your time and your love and money/toys/presents are NOT the be all and end all for them.

The fact that you do it alone is amazing - I'm lucky to have someone coming in at 7pm which takes the strain off a bit and I don't have the financial struggle either - just the daily struggle with 3 kids at home on my own. How you single Mum's do it I just don't know and I have nothing but admiration for you all.

XXX

KateandtheGirls · 23/10/2004 13:58

Harman, just get through the day the best you can - let them watch tv all day if they want - and look forward to the break you;re going to get, and having a good night's sleep tonight and a lie-in in the morning.

marthamoo · 23/10/2004 15:13

Try not to feel guilty - what you describe sounds pretty much how I was when ds2 was born and I didn't have four children and I had my dh around. I was quite horrible to ds1 at times, felt I wasn't coping, his behaviour was "challenging" and I remember thinking "what have I done?" Just try and get throught this one step at a time - don't plan too far ahead (carpets are lovely but you will manage without for a while). You know you have done the right thing, your kids and you are better off without your ex-p - you WILL get through this.

Make the most of your time tonight with just the baby - try and relax, veg out in front of a video or have a bath and an early night. When your children come back tomorrow sit them down and say you are sorry you were so cross, but you are very tired and things are difficult at the moment - stress you still love them and always will, but you can't help being cross sometimes. Praise anything good that they do to help to the skies!

I am in awe of your bravery and determination to make this new life for you and your children. I hope things start to come together soon.

Oh and I second the Homestart idea - once you are in your house it would be an excellent idea. My friend used them when she had two under 3's - and she said, after a while, it was just like having a friend in the house to help out (the Homestart volunteer would mind the children while she went shopping, or mind one so she could have time with the other, or mind them both just so she could have a bath in peace!)

harman · 24/10/2004 12:27

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Skate · 24/10/2004 13:27

Harman,

Sorry you had a crap day yesterday. I think you are right to take a break today and try to rest.

Just think, each day is a day closer to moving into your new place - once you get it all sorted out, you can settle down and get on with life, looking forward.

When do you anticipate getting in there? Will you be in for Xmas?

Got to sign out now and get on with some work but will catch up again later.

Lonelymum · 25/10/2004 14:53

The lone parent bit I can't comment on as I freak out whenever dh goes away for one night, and I don't know how old your baby is, but I know what it is to adjust to four kids as I have four myself. I also talked to my children about how they would have to be good when the baby came and they said they would and said they would help and play with the baby etc and none of that happened. It is hard when the baby is little because it has such specific needs which do not match your other children's needs at all, hence perhaps the baby screaming when you visited the new house: the baby wants peace and quiet and routine, not being taken to strange places and being disturbed by the others running around. Try to remember this period doesn't last long but will always be hard, even if you are not alone. Even now, when my youngest is 20 months, his needs are not always compatible with my other children's and that makes for bad days. Mostly though, they can all play together now which makes things much easier.

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