How do you make life easier for yourself?

[SnowCurl]

I am a SAHM and have been for the past 4 years. I have 3 little ones (under 5) and am feeling pretty stir crazy after 5 years of being their principle carer. The drudgery of the baby groups, washing, the bickering etc is really starting to get to me. So, I ask, how do you make life easier for yourself?

I try to do things with the kids that I like doing and I go out with friends regularly - with and without kids.
It's easier when they get older. Hang in there!

Oh sorry. I answered an imaginary question of how do you make life more bearable

If you hate baby groups then don't go. They are mostly for the mums to socialise rather than for the dcs benefit anyway, so if you are not getting anything good from it then your dc won't suffer by you not going.

When mine were about 3 I put them in nursery for a couple of hours 3× per week so I could go to the gym or do the food shop by myself. Was much easier to get round the supermarket and unpack bags without little ones with me.

I let mine watch cbeebies and nick jnr when I wanted to get on with stuff in the house. Oldest are now 19 and 16 and I can safely say that no harm came of it.

I also gave up ironing anything except clothes that really needed it.

Yes to ironing. Just put washed clothes away and iron as you go.

Thank you for your replies. I've been pretty down for the last few weeks. So have been wondering how to approach things differently. It's the period between the afternoon school run and bedtime that I dread the most. I do put the TV on for them but feel bad for not giving them focused attention. But my boys are so energetic I'm wondering whether that's the right thing to do....x

It's fine, honestly. That time of day is really difficult - kids get tired and have been busy all day, I think the down time is necessary for them.

I think every parent hates that time of day
I try to divide it up into smaller times so it isn't as painful, so when we get in we get changed/put bags away etc, then 3:30-4 is snack time, they're a bit older so amuse themselves more before dinner now or call for friends but when they were younger I might say 4-4:30 outside play, 4:30-5 tv, 5 dinnertime 5:30-6 colouring etc etc

So I don't think 'argh 4 hours to amuse them till bedtime, you can just think of it as half an hour

Oh and once a week I take them to soft play for their tea, our local soft play does a play and meal deal during the week so it only costs me £5.75 for them both! Amazing!
I literally there till 6 then straight home into the bath

Not I literally - should say I loiter there till 6
bastard phone

It's the period between the afternoon school run and bedtime that I dread the most
I try to have dinner ready when dc comes home (dc can be tired, hungry and cranky) so fed as soon as home. An hour playing in the garden (threat of no treat if any arguing). In after play and change in to bed clothes and can watch 30mins TV. Wash up/teeth then and bed for story, cuddles & lights out.

Sahm here and like you I'm feeling a bit fed up with the mundane. I have a 4yo, he's starting school in September and an 8mo boy. It's my baby who's hard right now, he wants attention all the time and if he doesn't have it he grizzles, it's pretty mind numbing being on the floor all day playing with a baby!

I feel so bloody guilty saying all this though because I have two beautiful healthy boys, a truly great husband, we've just moved into an amazing home in a lovely village (although I don't know anyone), and yet I still feel this way.

I think it will get easier when my youngest gets older and they can play/fight together but right now I'm struggling to entertain for 12hrs a day for 7 days a week!

No real helpful tips for you I'm afraid, just wanted to let you know there's others who feel the same way. At least it's summer! I find it easier to find things to do when the weather is fine.

HolaWeenie, it does help knowing I'm not the only one. I think I know this deep down but all the other parents "seem" so together. I always seem to be the one flustered or raising their voice. I feel your pain with the grizzling. My youngest is not yet walking and desperately wants to be so is very vocal ALL day. There's normally 2 out 3 moaning at any given time.

NoCapes, I might see if there's a soft play near me that does similar. I think we could do with something to look forward to each week. Thank you x

I go to a yoga class. If I didn't I'd have strangled someone right now.

It just helps me to think about absolutely nothing for a while and the sense of calm I get afterward lasts at least an hour

We are doing a rubbish job of potty training right now and it's really getting me down. I'm also in a rural area and feel quite isolated some days as most of my friends work.

It's nice to just come on here sometimes whilst DS trashes the house.

I know if I was working I'd be struggling just the same.

Playduh, yes I rediscovered Yoga at Christmas and it's something to look forward to.

Would love to return to work but it is financially unfeasible whilst the youngest are not at school. I think that compounds my frustration.

Toilet training is an on going process. It is time consuming at first and you have to have eyes in the back of your head. But so much easier than wrestling with oversized toddlers to change nappies...in my house anyway so don't be too hard on yourself xxx