Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher so it’s break. My colleagues and I joked about our relative lack of excitement because we know it’s going to be a working break. But I don’t hate it. I wanted kids and I had 3. If I hated it, there must be something about my expectations that are off.

However, I am able to do my work in a reasonable amount of time. I think many jobs require way too many hours. Teaching can be like that, but I’m very experienced and have it down to a science.

How old are they?

Anonymous wrote:Yes, especially this time of the year, is is SO hard! When our nanny leaves on Friday, I know I have 35 hours of childcare ahead of me (almost 2 and almost 5 year old) with minimal breaks other than sleep in sight. When they sleep, I try to get all those house tasks done, but it’s exhausting. Structure and outside activities help, but watching almost toddlers is not relaxing or easy. I’m right there with you!

Clean while they are awake. They can help or just follow you around. Start now and it pays dividends later.

I’m a teacher so it’s break. My colleagues and I joked about our relative lack of excitement because we know it’s going to be a working break. But I don’t hate it. I wanted kids and I had 3. If I hated it, there must be something about my expectations that are off.

However, I am able to do my work in a reasonable amount of time. I think many jobs require way too many hours. Teaching can be like that, but I’m very experienced and have it down to a science.

Yes, especially this time of the year, is is SO hard! When our nanny leaves on Friday, I know I have 35 hours of childcare ahead of me (almost 2 and almost 5 year old) with minimal breaks other than sleep in sight. When they sleep, I try to get all those house tasks done, but it’s exhausting. Structure and outside activities help, but watching almost toddlers is not relaxing or easy. I’m right there with you!

ugh nannies

nope, never even occurred to me, maybe because there were no nannys or family members around to help ever.

just another day.

Anonymous wrote:What's up with nobody being able to handle your kids?

Other than that this sounds like most parents' lives. You are kind of in a Groundhog day situation for now.

The toddler is in prime danger age - climbing but doesn’t realize he can fall, putting toys and non food substances stuff in the mouth and eating it, can’t walk down inclines or hills without falling, etc. This age to about potty training just stinks and right now he requires 24-7 attention. I am so tired of the couch climbing/bed climbing/slamming head into corners. And the 5 year old is much more independent but super high energy and needs to have tons of opportunities to run/bike/hike or we deal with bad behavior, jumping on furniture, tantrums, etc. because he’s unaware of his body and needs snacks, meals, water, bathroom breaks, etc. It’s two different ages with a lot of very different needs.

I agree. I have a clingy 7 year old who seems to want more of my attention than she did as a toddler. The only way to get things done is to let her watch tons of tv and then I feel guilty.

Once the youngest turns 3 it becomes easier. You can go to the playground/park and let them run around by themselves and just sit back and relax. There are more things to keep the kids occupied while you do other things.

Hang in there. It will get much easier soon

I love it. I have kids 5, 3, and 3 months. It's the weekday morning rush to get everyone to school/work that I find stressful. On the weekend DH and I take turns sleeping in, we make elaborate breakfasts and dinners, take long walks, watch movies, etc.

If it helps, I’m a SAHM and I also have mixed feelings about weekends. Like, it’s slightly different because my spouse isn’t working…as much? But what I really want is to be alone in my house for a few hours which is impossible. I have to leave for a few hours for my “me” time. But a lot of times that just means running errands and sitting alone in my car which is actually glorious but also kind of sad. I do have hobbies but it’s not always easy to schedule everything right.

PS what up, parking lot sitting fam! I see you, but I won’t look at you, I promise. We’re all just here alone together enjoying our chipotle and a podcast in a Covid-free environment where we’re not at risk of anyone talking to us, am I right? Love to you all.

What's up with nobody being able to handle your kids?

Other than that this sounds like most parents' lives. You are kind of in a Groundhog day situation for now.

Oh yes! I have one kid who was pretty quiet as a toddler but still, it was just depressing. Either I was a bad mom or I got nothing done and no me time. Always that choice.
Being stuck on a weekend with a small child is my idea of h*ll. A fun outing does help but how many hours of the day can it help while away? Exhausting and depressing overall. So glad these days are over.

I feel ya. This too shall pass.

Anyone else feel this way? Not looking for answers, just solidarity. I have a 1 and a 5 year old and it’s just unrelenting. We don’t have any family to help and when grandparents come to visit they can’t handle even one kid solo for much more than an hour. We have a nanny during the week but she can barely handle both kids. We have had the same issue with babysitters. Facing down the messy house, laundry, meal planning, shopping, home maintenance, yard work, never ending house projects and piles of crap and art and kids toys and then realizing we get to launch into the work week again come Monday just makes me feel like I’m stuck in this never ending Ground Hog day.