Anyone else completely burnt out by 5pm?

[Lizbiz89]

I've got 3 kids and a mental dog. Aged 6, 4, and 16 weeks. Obviously it's half term which doesn't help but by 5pm I'm absolutely burnt out. Almost to the point where I feel ill. I seem to regain a little energy after they've gone to bed but those couple of hours before bed I'm gone. Anyone else feel the same?

Preach! I have a 16 month old and a mental dog. And work 40 hours a week (over two days). Honestly I'm done by 5! I have nothing else to give, it's where my patience lacks and my level head wavers. You are not on your own!
May the odds be ever in your favour 😂

My DC are 7 and 8 and I've stopped feeling this, there is hope!

Amen. 3yo (on pre school half term) and 7 month old. Feel like I’m clock watching and my parenting stops at preventing them from killing themselves/each other from 3:30pm until DH gets in at 6 🙈

I thought it was just me!! I am all ready to just fall asleep by 5pm. I've managed dinner today but just dropped on the sofa and let them do what they want!!

Yes, I feel you! 3 year old (on half term from pre-school) and a 14 month old. Exhausted.

Glad it's not just me! I seem to have a fresh new burst of energy every morning and by 5 o'clock I can barely function. It's like my body just gives up.

Oh yeah this is me… I have DD (5) and DS (18 month), once there in bed I start working on my small business and omg I’m so exhausted I can barely think… 🥲

It’s tv time in our house at 4pm as it helps me get through the late afternoon lull. Tv 4-5, kids’ dinner at 5/530, straight to their bath and bed. Have kept that routine for years as it gives me a sort of map to navigate that part of the day that I find the hardest

you are not alone!

I understand you completely. I have a 20 month old. I work part time but I’m always exhausted. I have however been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis which of course adds to the fatigue. Being a mum is hard, I do love it, but I don’t know if I can physically and mentally have another one

Just wait till they turn into teenagers and give you jip when you tell them it's bedtime at 10pm.
It gets worse. 😂

I hate 5pm. i could quite happily fall asleep.

Actually I hate it even more when it’s 4.40pm and I’m counting down the minutes until DH comes back (usually around 5.20) and then he texts me with “just got a few things to finish off, will be leaving at 6” 😭 😭 😭

You work 2 x 20 hour days? Have I read that right 🤣

6 year old 4 year old 5 month old and mental dog here 🙋🏼‍♀️ Permanently exhausted but yes that 5pm time is particularly bad

@Chocolatelover888 you're literally in the same crazy boat as me! Is your 5 month old a good sleeper? Mine is only waking once a night now but still kills me getting up for school runs.

3 kids and a mental dog and I am DONE by 5:00. The time between returning home from the school run and bedtime I find a really difficult time of day. Everyone’s tired and hungry, never a good combination.

Edit - 2 kids and a mental dog* don’t know where my imaginary third child came from. They are also 10 years and 13 months so need very different things from me which is sometimes exhausting.

He was good up until 3.5 months but the last 6 weeks or so he’s been waking multiple times so I’m wrecked 💤

Ask your GP to check your iron and thyroxine levels

I absolutely used to when DS was younger. I feel a fraud as I only had one child and no dog but he was such a terrible sleeper. I used to completely collapse around 5 - remember it really well.

Over two days?!

Similar to PP we have telly from 4-5 then dinner, sometimes bath, and bed. I need structure at that time to help us all get through.

But I have one child and I'm knackered! You're doing great OP

Yep, one child, 3 dogs, fulltime work and a house renovation. In bed by 9, can get so tired i feel nauseous.

Yes and I only have one, plus dog, and pregnancy. I’m not surprised you’re burnt out OP, you’re right in the thick of it! Three children of very needy ages, and a crazy dog! Take every short cut and offer of help you can, and it will soon get better