Anyone else just surviving the weekend?

[Elisemum]

Before kids I waited all week for that Friday feeling! We now have 2,5 year old and a 2 month old. The baby is easy going but the toddler brings us to our knees. Please don’t get me wrong we love him more than life but he can be either the sweetest boy in the world or pure devil :) he is full of energy and literally jumps off the walls. He also has the usual toddler tuntrums. He wants food, then he doesn’t want it and throws it away, then he wants it again. Sometimes he does the opposite of what we ask and really pushes us. Even though we start every weekend thinking it will be a nice one by Saturday evening we are so drained we don’t even manage to talk to each other… and then there is Sunday… we dread weekends so much and at the same time we are feeling very guilty cos we love our son more than anything but Jesus it is tough :( anyone else feels the same or is what I’m saying strange?

No, what you are feeling is not strange. I’m similar, look forward to Friday evening, plan pizza night / film - everyone is so tired it ends in meltdown. Saturday I imagine a nice relaxed morning, late breakfast, Christmas crafts, play with toys.. but I’m totally overwhelmed by 10am by the mess, bickering, winging. So we go out for a cold snowy walk, Before we’ve crossed the street everyone crying they are too cold, return home, spend half an hour cleaning up puddles of melted snow off the kitchen floor. Clean up glitter. Kick toys back to play room. Go for McDonald’s.... now everyone is in bed, with me, hopefully asleep within the next half hour as will I as I’m bloody exhausted ... and it’s Monday again!!!

If my husband is home I love family life. If he’s working I spend my time clock watching and figuring out how long till bedtime. My children are the same age as yours OP.

@NaturalBlue god, I could have written that…yup I relate 100%. I always imagine the weekend of playing with my toddler, doing some fun arts and crafts maybe some cuddles. By Saturday lunchtime all plans go to hell and we both count hours and trying to survive till Sunday evening :(

@HogDogKetchup oh I don’t even want to think of my husband not being here, I think I would actually collapse. Even though there’s two of us our toddler still wins… it’s the physical exhaustion but also mental too. He would have couple of hours when he is sweet and cooperate but then he could turn into an absolute monster.

I'm on my own with 2.5 yo and am pulling what's left of my hair out by 10am Saturday morning!! Apart from the wrestle to get washed and dressed I've made the effort and prepared some activities, he's wrecked and done with by 9am!! Only to return to pulling all the cushions off the sofa to make a very noisy obstacle course

3 kids under 4.5 here and I hate weekends (and am too embarrassed to say that to anyone in real life). It’s about counting down the hours for me. It’s so exhausting but also boring. I’m hoping it gets better as they get older?

Yep! Mine are 9 and 5, the 9 year old pretty much entertains himself but the 5 year old either constantly needs someone playing with her or she wants American children screeching on YouTube on the tele. Both kids hate going out for walks (so do I tbh) and it's far too cold for the park here (it's snowing). My DH is pretty good and when I start to lose my mind he lets me go for a breather upstairs alone for a while which keeps me sane. I live for Monday mornings!

Mine are 3 and 4 and weekends are a struggle. This weekend has been OK because partner has taken the lead but normally I'm laying in a dark room at this time on a Sunday.

Absolutely not the only one, such a struggle!!!! And now it’s Monday again

Wow it’s nice to know it’s not just us! Not that I wish this in anyone but it is comforting to know others feel the same. I was feeling very guilty and I thought it was just us… I’m also embarrassed to say it to others and for us also the thought of Monday morning is what keeps us going!

YANBU! I am a single mum and I used to dread a weekend- especially a bank holiday. Hours to fill! No sleep, doing things the children likes but I hated. I love my kids and I loved it when they were little but Jeez it was so hard!!! Have a wine, say this too shall pass and pat yourself on the back for being an amazing mum!

Yes I have often felt the same. On my second maternity leave so fill the week with seeing friends but would often feel at a loose end at weekends. I realised lots of my friends felt the same though so now often plan things for a Saturday morning with them which helps. Toddler turning 3 also made a big difference - much less exhausting now!

I’ve got a 5 year old and am a LP. I work really hard all week (and catch up on admin in the evenings at weekends...) so try hard to make the weekend days really lovely/fun etc.

Today - amongst other things- we’ve been for lunch at a cafe, a snowball fight in the park, and come home to bake all afternoon. Every single activity - all of which were requests from DS- has ended with DS having a tantrum.

I wonder why I bother, far too often these days. Of course the answer is- because I adore him and what him to have lovely experiences and lots of quality time with me- but weekends do feel like a slog atm.

[quote Elisemum]@HogDogKetchup oh I don’t even want to think of my husband not being here, I think I would actually collapse. Even though there’s two of us our toddler still wins… it’s the physical exhaustion but also mental too. He would have couple of hours when he is sweet and cooperate but then he could turn into an absolute monster.[/quote]
Is he still napping? My little boy is often grotty in the afternoon without a nap.

@HogDogKetchup no mostly he doesn’t nap anymore. He would have an occasional nap if he asks for it (and he does sometimes as he loves sleep and is a brilliant sleeper bless him)
But I’m all honestly I don’t know what’s worse:) if he naps it means he won’t go to bed till 8.30pm and by that time I feel like collapsing on the floor. But is he doesn’t nap then he is non stop all day! Goes to bed at 7.30 then. So either way- it’s tough.

Yes I’ve been doing some shifts at the weekend recently and was so looking forward to a weekend off with my children but blimey it has been hard work! Much easier going to work. I’m exhausted! Christmas crafts and play dough ended in a massive mess, a walk in the snow ended in tears because they were wet and cold and a trip to the garden centre to see the Christmas decorations was a disaster.

I think it’s much harder at this time of year too.

4 kids 10 and under, lone parent, I hate the weekends!

[quote Elisemum]@HogDogKetchup no mostly he doesn’t nap anymore. He would have an occasional nap if he asks for it (and he does sometimes as he loves sleep and is a brilliant sleeper bless him)
But I’m all honestly I don’t know what’s worse:) if he naps it means he won’t go to bed till 8.30pm and by that time I feel like collapsing on the floor. But is he doesn’t nap then he is non stop all day! Goes to bed at 7.30 then. So either way- it’s tough.[/quote]
Oh I know. It’s a real pay off isn’t it. Nap and we have a better afternoon, no nap and he’s grotty but gets to bed well.

Yup knackered and not enjoying it.

I have one day left at work before starting 2nd maternity leave. DD almost 3 is at a very challenging age (I have started referring to her as the pocket sized dictator) and DH does long hours of shifts. Wish I could just carry on working- every day is going to be like the weekend bar the 2 mornings she’s at preschool and soon there will be 2 of them to outnumber me!

Yes we refer to our son as a dictator too:) it really is unbelievable how one small cute human can actually bring two adults to their knees and almost break them. Our house literally looks like a batter field every evening. There is play doh stuck to the floor, chairs, shoes and whatnot. You cannot walk anymore as the whole downstairs is full of bricks, blocks, cars. Bits of food everywhere. We use the little energy we have left to tidy up on Saturday eve only to start it all over again on Sunday morning