finding it all a bit gruelling atm

[oops]

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Aah, Oops, when I read this I said to myself "I bet her children are 2 and 4". and I was right!

I honestly think they are at the worst age - just because you've gone through so much over the last few years and they still are not independent or rational in any meaningful way. The one thing I wish someone had said to me when mine were that age was "it doesn't get any worse than this". Because in my experience it really doesn't.

Mine are now 4/nearly 5 and 6/nearly 7 and it honestly is hugely easier. They can do loads more by themselves and need - want - less supervision, which frees you up to do things like read a newspaper and small things that just make you feel human. And the things they like doing are much closer to the things you like doing. Somehow everything just becomes much less of a chore.

Honestly - it will get better and quite soon. Just keep saying "it doesn't get any worse than this"

Anchovy and I have discussed this before

Yes, by five and seven, which mine are, life is dramatically easier. You aren't wiping anyone else's bottom/filling their cup/finding their buggy. I can get a bit of work done when they're at home, actually. And having friends over is glorious, because you leave them to get on with it, do whatever you feel like, and then tidy up afterwards.

With NT kids, which you have, it does and will get better. It really will.

Someone asked earlier if you use childcare or babysitters?

When particularly exhausted, I have been known to hire a babysitter to look after dd when I haven't got plans to go out - just so I can have some peace and quiet. I call it a 'mental health' day. Might your budget stretch to that from time to time?

Should you be able to lay your hands on a charming sixth-former willing to look after them for the afternoon, bribe her (it'll probably be a her) and take full advantage of her.

I'm getting like this as well, although i'm a SAHM i'm still in the process of getting the house and garden sorted for OFSTED and we are trying to put down a laminate floor in the dinning room and i'm trying to sort out the extension to make it into a playroom with a new lino as well.
On top of everything i still do all the housework and washing, but just found out the kids have somehow pulled out the waste water pipe out of the wall so can't use the washing machine!
Fell very trapped today as all the estate kids are for some reason playing right outside my house (over 10of them) and they have been there all morning.
There is loads of space outside their own homes.
Also the little ones keep coming round wanting to come in the house and i'm fed up of saying no!
Can't have them round as the house is a tip and i don't want anything moved.
I usually have other peoples kids over at my house during termtime but when it's the holidays i dont want any of them over!
Just wish it would rain a bit harder now so that i can go out! and get on with my shopping.
DH is at work all day but i have the kids from 7am until sometimes as late as 9.30pm as they mess around before going to sleep and he says he's too tired to keep going upstairs to tell them off.
Spending too much time on Mumsnet! as i'm trying to ignore how much work i've got to do

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Glad to hear you've had a better few days oops. All the grins in your last post have made me smile (

Excellent! hope you had a good night!!!!