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Original poster

Can I send a virtual hug to all the working mum who like me...

32 replies

fridayfeelingyeah · 14/05/2010 20:38

work because they have to, not because they choose to.
They are very tired and emotional and the week end sometimes just means catching up with housework and it's not like a telly ad where you spend quality time with your kids

Feel that you have aged ten years in no time because don't have time to look at yourself in the mirror let alone to go for trips to beautycian

I don't know why this week has been particularly harder for me - in fact I was ready for the week end by Tuesday and kept waking up every morning wondering how could it not possibly be Friday as I was so shattered.

am I the only one who feels like this?

I have two DSs, age 6 and 3

OP posts:
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Elasticwoman · 14/05/2010 21:15

Sounds like you are working full time, Friday.

I work p/t, have dh working from home self employed, and 2 of my dc are teenagers, so I have it much easier than you, but I was so tired yesterday I couldn't even stay up to see Outnumbered.

Can you not make any adjustments at all to your work/life balance?

indie37 · 14/05/2010 21:17

It's the mid term fatigue, the kids are shattered and struggling to get through the week. This week has dragged, I kept thinking every day was Friday and it took forever to come. Just rest, chill and look forward to the weekend. Just two weeks 'til half term.

GFatemybaby · 14/05/2010 21:18

I'm just ending my mat leave and DS2 isn't a great sleeper. I'm going back to work next week P/T and dreading it. I asked my DH to get up with the kids this morning as I couldn't face it. (Yes I have PND and am on meds).

It's a bone aching tiredness, especially as like you OP you're lacking choices in the arrangement.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

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frasersmummy · 14/05/2010 21:20

friday I only have one child (5) and work p/time and I could have posted that

I can only imagine how much harder it would be with an extra kid and more days at work

so here have a{{{{{{{{{{ huuuuuggg}}}}

its 9pm now so hopefully kids are in bed and you can chill

onepieceoflollipop · 14/05/2010 21:21

Unfortunately indie for some of us half term is worse. Personally I "only" work pt but I only get standard annual leave. I think it works out at about 4 weeks per year, ditto dh. School hols are around 13 weeks I think, so that's a bit of a problem for us.

fridayfeeling at the moment I am contemplating upping my hours, but I know once I do there will be no going back. (dcs are 6 and almost 3, so only one at school) I work for lots of reasons, and I love the actual work, but yes, it is tiring. I don't always finish on time (am a nurse). last week I got up at 6am one day, didn't get home until 6.30pm. Knackering, I sympathise with you.

elliepac · 14/05/2010 21:23

I am with you 100%. Full time teacher here and have just spent the last two hours cleaning on a Friday night, mainly because I have been so tired the rest of the week. Tomorrow shall be a whirl of food shopping, laundry and cleaning,oh the joy! I have DC's 6 and 2.

Onwards and upwards, whinge over, it is Friday after all .

ElizabethWakefield · 14/05/2010 21:25

Friday has been so long in coming this week. I have had a stinking cold and everyday has been a struggle! Blahhh!!

I only work part time too, but am a lone parent, school holidays are awful as DD's school has no holiday clubs or anything so it is one massive juggle and begging for favours. Only 7 weeks til the summer holidays here!

Hope we all have a nice relaxing evening

indie37 · 14/05/2010 21:25

I work full time also onepieceoflollipop so I wasn't suggesting it was easier in that sense. What I meant was that at least they wouldn't have to have uniforms every day and could chill a bit more than usual. I know it's the same routine, still getting them to childcare and getting to work, but it does seem less stressed somehow in the holidays, or maybe that's just me. And the traffic is less as well. Or again, maybe that's just me.

onepieceoflollipop · 14/05/2010 21:29

indie yes you are right in that the traffic is easier. Also in our case once I have sorted out my shifts/got dh to book some days/sent the dcs to my mother for a few days, it is less stressful overall.

sorry if my post was a bit sharp.

Personally I had a fab day today. In work half an hour early, after a stress free morning. Only because dh was at home today to look after dd2. Was fab, he did all the school run etc, put laundry out, all the tedious jobs I do on my "day off". dd2 in particular very very happy to have a day with daddy. he has been snoozing next to me since 9pm. Can't keep up the pace.

Monty100 · 14/05/2010 21:29

Friday - yep, full time here with a two hour a day commute. Lone parent.

Mine are young teenagers now, don't know which is the worst though cos they don't go to bed until 10.

Only just manage to survive financially as well.

Still, I love 'em and wouldn't be without 'em .

(visualises ironing pile, washing pile, overgrown lawn etc etc>

Reallytired · 14/05/2010 21:36

Stop being so pathetic. I hate these threads where working mums go on about how easy SAHMs have it. Full time SAHMs often work harder than working mums. Yet the work of SAHMs is not respected.

Incidently I am in paid work. Like you I have to do my shopping and jobs at the weekend.

However during the week the lovely girls at my daughter's nursery, my son's after school club do a lot of work for me. I have swapped one form of work for another. Unlike a SAHM I actually get to go to toilet on my own and adult interaction.

Being a mother is hard, whether you stay at home with your kids full time or work. Life is pretty grim for people who cannot work because the cost childcare is probitive.

onepieceoflollipop · 14/05/2010 21:39

I didn't see anything on this thread so far (apart from your own post) Reallytired "going on about how easy SAHMs have it" or not respecting them.

It was just a discussion/support thread about being knackered I think.

ElizabethWakefield · 14/05/2010 21:43

I don't think anyone said anything about stay at home mums having it easy, it was more of an "I'm knackered are you? Come and have a whinge together" thread.

Original poster
fridayfeelingyeah · 14/05/2010 21:45

LOL reallytired - I take your initial statement as a joke as you cannot really be serious...nobody here has mentioned a SAHM.

So- I am ignoring your provocation, I am about to open a bottle of rosso and chill out in front of the telly.
Hope all the others are joining me.

I will also tell a little prayer for reallytired so that she can become more sympathetic of people who can admit shamelessly they are tired

OP posts:
Pavlov · 14/05/2010 21:46

reallytired how has the OP said anything like that? I don't see anything comparing her situation with a SAHM. She is not insulting any one, she is offering a hug for a group of women she can identify with, she clearly needs one herself. Give her a break.

Portofino · 14/05/2010 21:48

Why is it pathetic? Some of us have to work. And the housework has to get done. And the dcs deserve the old cliched "quality time". That does make you knackered. No-one mentioned SAHMs.

onepieceoflollipop · 14/05/2010 21:48

any wine left friday?

btw I mentioned dh being at home today (one day only) did that come across as smug/getting at sahps? Hope not.

frasersmummy · 14/05/2010 21:50

who said anything about sahm having it easy??

I am at home with ds 2 days a week (plus the weekend) so I know how tiring childcare at home is

do you need a {{{{{huuuggg]]] too tired??

Meglet · 14/05/2010 21:50

I am enjoying Sex & the city which I taped earlier in the week and some Green & Blacks so feel a hell of a lot better than I did at 5pm today . A good way to end the week even if I do say so myself.

OhExpletive · 14/05/2010 22:00

Room for another? I work full time but have a weekday off so I get a taste of both sides. It is incredibly tiring having people depend on your decisions etc when you're so befuddled you can barely get your shoes on the right feet in the morning. I can say with certainty that while i would miss working, if it was an option for me to stay home i would much prefer it. Can't even join you ladies for wine - pregnant again!

madamebovine · 14/05/2010 22:02

Reallytired - shame on you. Why did you have to wade in and make it a debate about who has it harder? The OP is knackered. End of.

Original poster
fridayfeelingyeah · 14/05/2010 22:02

onepieceoflollipop - have my last wine, you deserve it.

We all deserve some - working mothers and no.

I am watching Desperate Housewives Meglet - taped it on Wed, as I was too tired to watch it while it was on.

I work full time and DS2 is still in nursery which in a way is easier as they don't have holidays I have then to plan about separately for DS1. I keep telling myself next year it will be easier, when DS2 will be in the same school as DS1. No more rushing around in the morning and evening from school to nursery and from nursery to station.

Feeling a bit better just knowing that quite a few out there are going through the same.

Week end is looming ahead with all the shopping, swimming lessons, cleaning and cooking lunch and dinner for family which I hardly ever do during the week...but I will think about that tomorrow - Cheers

OP posts:
MrsSawdust · 14/05/2010 22:07

What a strange, out of context post, reallytired. I'm half expecting you to come back and say 'oops, wrong thread' as one sees on here from time to time.

Anyway, I'm starting back at work full time very soon having been part time for a year since finishing mat leave. I have to admit, partly I'm looking forward to it because I'm excited about getting my teeth into my job again (impossible on 2 days pw). But on the other hand, i have no idea how I'll manage my time / keep my energy levels up etc and I'm sure it's going to be tough sometimes.

But it will be ok [hopeful emoticon]

Monty100 · 14/05/2010 22:34

Reallytired - who mentioned sahams? Yes you.

Start your own thread.

MumofJTM · 15/05/2010 08:12

Too right Monty! Hope everyone had a peaceful and restful Friday evening?

I work FT and gorgeous DS 2.9yrs goes to lovely nursery. Am teacher, I love it, but would not work ft if I had a choice, but don;t. Have school holidays, so am a bit spoilt in that sense, but that's why I feel a bit better about working ft.

I have equal respect for working mums and SAHMs - different pressures, stress, hours etc but all work nevertheless.

Big hugs to all who are tired, from being at work or at home!

ALL ROUND]]]]]]]]]]

Hope those working today have a good day, and those at home have good time with LOs!