Feeling low

[Correlation]

Hi all,

My kids are 4 and 2. Both kids' need something RIGHT NOW.... ALL THE TIME.
There's always screaming, crying and now the added bonus of fighting over everything. I like to think of myself as very patient but I'm really struggling at the moment.

I'm tired, I wake up feeling dread for the day ahead. I love my kids so much, I'm just so exhausted. My husband works a lot and helps in ways that he can but it is mostly on me. I also have help around (parents) but there's a limit to that too and I am just needing to vent about the relentlessness of it all at the moment.

Also my 2 year old now will only eat porridge, crisps or popcorn, biscuits and chips. Sometimes fish fingers. He had a very good diet during weaning but has been like this for months now. He has all his teeth. I despair.

Oh and I've been taking paroxetine since DC2 was born...

For what it's worth OP I think for 2 child families this is the low point so you're not alone. I think all you can do is take what help you get, have realistic expectations, lots of exercise and don't do anything that's too much effort to pull off. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for wishing this stage away.

4 and 2 IS relentless.

Is there anything you could put in place to get back to yourself and things you love?

As for diet - it sounds like this is an area you worry about, that gets energy and attention. I'm wondering how you could ease this pressure or send it somewhere else?

Good question @semideponent as I do have a tendency to obsess over things and this does take a lot of energy. I would like to relax more about it. Maybe if I park this worry for a temporary period and revisit it another time as I've already spoken to my HV and GP and they're not concerned as he's getting enough calories.

@WhatNoRaisins thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I guess it's hard when people say it doesn't get easier, just different. My God I hope it gets easier...

It should get easier. I found when my youngest was a bit older and could walk further and have more attention span that they were better at playing together. There were also more things that you could do with the two of them.

Oh god me too … was just considering starting a thread. Four and nearly two and I’m wrung out. Mine are actually delightful individually too but together are awful. Sorry … no advice but ME TOO!

Also here 4 and nearly 2 and I’m third trimester pregnant and exhausted. It’s a lot isn’t it

i find the 4 yo great and I can do this child hands down. It’s the toddler, I just want my husband to deal with the toddler!!

@Daisyrainbows i saw a woman with a beautiful newborn the other day and I could do that part again, I’m just not sure I could cope with a toddler for a third time! My DD (21 months) is lovely but I’m drained by tantrums, the neediness and wanting to cling to me, jealous of her brother and she’s so mean to him, he really gets elbowed out.

I am hoping things will improve in September when DS starts school!

Your ages are really similar! I also am looking forward to reception in September, my son will be v ready.

my toddler is a pickle too, she hits him and is generally quite demanding! But cute. A cute dictator

@Daisyrainbows yes exactly, I enjoy the time I get alone with my 4 year old, but the 2 year old on his own or both of them together is just too much. My 4 year old already does school hours at nursery so I'm not sure her starting school will make much difference. I think it's when my 2 year old starts nursery or school and I get a moment to just think and breathe that things might get "easier"....

@Daisyrainbows oh God, the hitting, the snatching, the destroying of each other's toys, the demands for different things on TV, not wanting to eat, trying to feed each other, it's just on and on and on...
They are both extremely cute though and all I seem to do once they're both in bed is look at photos/videos of them or start looking at clothes I can buy for them...