Twin Mams How are we getting anything done?

[JustTTC]

My B/G Twins just turned 2.
I can’t get anything done, it’s literally back to back parenting with twin toddlers.
I can’t even go upstairs to fold and put away clothes, can’t be out of their sight for more than 5 mins they’ll come find me, crying, and it can change their whole mood for hours.
is this just normal toddler behaviour?
my house is a mess.
they nap for about 1.5 hours during the day, but they dont fall asleep together so it only leaves about 30-45 mins free time, by this point I am so burnt out and hungry that I’ll either have a cuppa and lunch or il just nap.
I tidy up as i go along, but my big cleaning is just not getting done, my floors haven’t been washed in 2 weeks which is wild for me.
DH works 12 hour shifts, home at 6.30, dinner, play with kids, showers, then bed. Most nights were too tired to even get back up to watch tv.
Not sure if Im looking for advice or just solidarity 🥹 This is possibly the most difficult stage of twins so far for me!

Most mums struggle with ONE 2 year old. This board is full of posts from women who can't get anything done with A toddler.

You're superwoman. Your job is to care for these kids and it sounds like you're doing great.

I'd hire a part time helper or a cleaner a few times a week.

Once every two weeks! You're a superwoman.

I have tow DC 16mo apart and my floors get mopped about 4x a year 🫠

@campervanpam Honestly
thats if im lucky or have the energy..and normally its just filthy immediately afterwards lol! I don’t know how the generation before us did it..my parents had 4 under 10, I honestly think we all just survived 😂😂

@mullers1977 i think thats only for people living in the D15 area, I’m based in kildare, thanks though for the recommendation

@BoyFTM645 Not sure its in the budget, I would love nothing more than a part time cleaner though!

Hang in there OP. They are still a bit young to play together but the best thing I did with my two (not twins but 18 month gap) was encourage them to play together. So I got toys for two such as walkie talkies, a football goal, two little water guns for the summer in the garden etc. Always reminding them to share with each other and take turns. They are 4 and 5 now and best friends and play together all day long. Not the same as twins which is so so hard but they will get easier as they get more independent and play together

You don't 😅 I have 2 yr old b/g twins. I get so overwhelmed and frustrated with the house but it's just a totally different ball game with twins, the squabbling too is non stop. I don't cook dinner even til they are in bed, I do all laundry and dishes when husband is home after 6. It's impossible
Do they go to any sort of childcare? I put mine in 2 mornings a week the term after they turned 2 and used one of those mornings to clean and the other morning to have some me time. It was honestly life changing. I know it's expensive if you don't have any funded hours though, especially for twins
I did have a cleaner that came once every 2 weeks, was £65 a month but if you can afford it it's well worth it then it's eas(ier) to keep on top of if they do the deep clean x

Mine are now 12… it was absolute chaos until they went to school! I worked full time and did pay for a cleaner but within seconds the chaos was back… honestly, don’t worry about it. It will pass (too quickly!)

I did my house mark when they went to bed

We did the same

@jigglypuff7722 I praise anyone who has the energy to clean after bedtime or in the evening, the days are LONG where do you find the energy! Their bedtime is between 7/7:30 but I put my girl to bed and it takes 1.5hours most nights, I just cant bring myself to Mop or hoover at night my brain is fried. They aren’t entitled to ecce until September, and we cant afford childcare or a cleaner right now as we just moved to a better area/bigger house and im only working part time! A cleaner would be a dream come through though 😂

@littlebilliie Praise to you, I tidy & reset for
the following day when they have gone to bed, but cleaning is the last thing I would have energy for by 9pm 😓

@coronafiona Im just part time 3 days a week, and I feel like im chasing my tail! We cant afford a cleaner right now, but i think il have to try work it into the budget!

It does get easier I promise!
At the lunchtime nap would they go in their beds at the same time, even if they don’t fall asleep immediately? That would give you a bit more time to yourself.

My twins are 18 so I have no practical suggestions to offer but I do want to offer some sympathy and validation. Yes it is very hard and I'm not surprised you are exhausted. On the plus side this phase will not last for ever. Cut yourself some slack, drop your standards and concentrate on keeping yourselves fed, washed and loved and let everything else go. You will make it through this and you will look back one day and wonder how you ever did.