Parenting young kids is so physically demanding

[Anonymous]

I am soooo exhausted from parenting my 3 young kids all weekend. Like physically exhausted. I have a 2 year old, 5 year old and 7 year old. This weekend we had a few play dates, played outside a bunch, walked the dog, went for a bike ride (where the older kids bike and I run next to them), and I worked out (like normal). In between all of the physical play, I also still carry my 2 year old quite a bit and I have to do household work like laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc.

I don't understand how people who are out of shape parent young kids. I am in shape, work out 5 times a week, can run an 8 minute mile and am still physically exhausted after a weekend with my kids!

[Anonymous]

I have kids the same age… why are you working out if you are already exhausted on the weekends? Maybe you should avoid that abs only work out during the week.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my friend who has an autoimmune disorder purposely worked full-time when her kids were young so they could go to daycare and now that they are upper elementary she is a SAHM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am soooo exhausted from parenting my 3 young kids all weekend. Like physically exhausted. I have a 2 year old, 5 year old and 7 year old. This weekend we had a few play dates, played outside a bunch, walked the dog, went for a bike ride (where the older kids bike and I run next to them), and I worked out (like normal). In between all of the physical play, I also still carry my 2 year old quite a bit and I have to do household work like laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc.

I don't understand how people who are out of shape parent young kids. I am in shape, work out 5 times a week, can run an 8 minute mile and am still physically exhausted after a weekend with my kids!

You didn't know that children were exhausting and needy? Why do people have children and know nothing about what it takes to care for them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am soooo exhausted from parenting my 3 young kids all weekend. Like physically exhausted. I have a 2 year old, 5 year old and 7 year old. This weekend we had a few play dates, played outside a bunch, walked the dog, went for a bike ride (where the older kids bike and I run next to them), and I worked out (like normal). In between all of the physical play, I also still carry my 2 year old quite a bit and I have to do household work like laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc.

I don't understand how people who are out of shape parent young kids. I am in shape, work out 5 times a week, can run an 8 minute mile and am still physically exhausted after a weekend with my kids!

You didn't know that children were exhausting and needy? Why do people have children and know nothing about what it takes to care for them!

OP here - of course I knew children were exhausting and needy. But I have been doing this non-stop for 7 years and just needed to vent. Plus the last 2 years have been even more exhausting than the first few years due to COVID. I used to take the kids to indoor playhouses and could go to museums. Now we don't have any of those things so I am trying to find good outlets for them other than just watching TV/playing on their tablets. Usually that results in me playing with them or doing outside physical activities with them.

I also just wonder how people who are out of shape keep up with their kids all weekend long.

[Anonymous]

Yes they are op, yes they are... wait a few years then they become mentally exhausting too

[Anonymous]

My children were always very quiet and calm. I stayed home when DC1 was a toddler. I didn't schedule workouts during busy times, and didn't need to. I let some housework go in favor of doing things I preferred doing. We only got pets when the kids were older.

It's been great.

[Anonymous]

Same. Same that I workout daily and my kids are 1, 4 and 6 so same spread.

My big gripe is that my husband complains that I can't stay awake past 9:30. Nevermind that I've been up with the baby since 5 AM and he doesn't do jackshit to help with the kids or the house. Wonder why the intimacy is dead 🤔

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am soooo exhausted from parenting my 3 young kids all weekend. Like physically exhausted. I have a 2 year old, 5 year old and 7 year old. This weekend we had a few play dates, played outside a bunch, walked the dog, went for a bike ride (where the older kids bike and I run next to them), and I worked out (like normal). In between all of the physical play, I also still carry my 2 year old quite a bit and I have to do household work like laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc.

I don't understand how people who are out of shape parent young kids. I am in shape, work out 5 times a week, can run an 8 minute mile and am still physically exhausted after a weekend with my kids!

You didn't know that children were exhausting and needy? Why do people have children and know nothing about what it takes to care for them!

OP here - of course I knew children were exhausting and needy. But I have been doing this non-stop for 7 years and just needed to vent. Plus the last 2 years have been even more exhausting than the first few years due to COVID. I used to take the kids to indoor playhouses and could go to museums. Now we don't have any of those things so I am trying to find good outlets for them other than just watching TV/playing on their tablets. Usually that results in me playing with them or doing outside physical activities with them.

I also just wonder how people who are out of shape keep up with their kids all weekend long.

DP, but plenty of parents aren't as active with their kids as you are. They use strollers, they drive to the playground and sit on a bench, etc. I find working out gives me energy, but yeah, little kids are exhausting.

IME, that part eases up, but there are plenty of emotional challenges with older kids, so it's a real shift in work. Occasionally I wish I could trade dealing with a blowout for tween drama, but there are real benefits of older kids, too (mine are 10, 8, and 6).

[Anonymous]

I am in pretty poor shape. I don’t run next to bicycles - that’s how I do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in pretty poor shape. I don’t run next to bicycles - that’s how I do it.

Exactly. This sounds like a real humble-brag, OP!

[Anonymous]

Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially exhausting...
OP, you may have to involve them in some extracurricular. COVID sucks, but we still do soccer, cheerleading, and gymnastics; 12, 10, and 7 respectively. It's helps to burn energy, socialization, and engagement where they need to be engaged.

[Anonymous]

Are you pregnant?

Perhaps covid positive?

Anemic?

Staying hydrated?

[Anonymous]

Im tired too. You are not alone. And I’ve rapidly aged the past two years! I’m drained. My kid is only one and I’m done.

[Anonymous]

Yup. Mine are 3 and 6. Dh and i trade off the physical stuff but i wouldnt run when they are biking anyway. And for playrounds i do take them but also sit on the bench between chasing them. The older one will go off and find friends to play with. She doesnt need me to play with het the whole time. On weekends when little one naps i nap too and the older one gets lego time or daddy reading to her time or sometimes shell snuggle up to me and also sleep for an hour.