when you're exhausted - how do you get through each day?

[LovelyWalters]

I'm totally done in. ds2 is one on sunday and has been unwell all week - literally barely sleeping at night for more than a couple of hours at a time. Dd was up all night too being sick. Ds1 is no bother really so that's not so bad.

Dh is in the forces and will hopefully be home this weekend for Xmas but I've been more or less on my own with the dcs since July. Parents help out but obv it's just me here, on my tod at night.

Apart from the usual drinking buckets of coffee/ eating sugary crap/ taking vitamins, what can I do to get my energy levels up a bit?! It's been a week of little sleep and I'm sitting here looking like death warmed up with my eyes twitching like mad!

I have no great advice, but lots of sympathy!

I'm a single parent to 2 boys ages 7 months and 4 years. We've all had coughs and colds for a week, boys are being sick, and sleep is a distant memory.

I'm going back to work next week too, no idea how I'll manage that!

I find as many games as possible that involve sitting down. And lots of TV!

But it's very hard, and I've been much snappier than usual with my 4 year old, so I'm feeling very guilty.

It will pass. I hope your DH is ready for some full-on childcare when he returns, so you can get some sleep!

I agrwe with twopeople, get out and about in the fresh air, do lots of things with other adults too to take pressure off and make sure you wear dcs out as much as you reasonably can so they don't get restless while they're ill and leave you even more exhausted.
Poor you - hope things get easier soon

(oh and I've just put my feet in a pillowcase with a hot water bottle as they are like ice blocks and it has made me feel very relaxed, so maybe try that too? )

thanks all - when I'm reaching for the biscuits and coffee I now that I shouldn't be but I just need that quick boost!

Bit hard to get them all out just now as the weather is so crap, but whenever it's dry I make the effort.

I did go to bed at 9.15pm last night - but was up practically every hour seeing one of the dcs. It's this constant round of colds, sickness etc - it's relentless and usually ends up with me getting sick too...

Will have a relaxing bath and try to get to bed early again, and pray for a relatively uneventful night.