They’ll be fine. Survival is the name of the game. And soon the weather will be better. I get it, I don’t even have a newborn and we are on the mega-TV schedule.

Anonymous wrote:Quarantine is hard. Quarantine with a newborn is the absolutely most torturous thing I can imagine. You have all my sympathies.

really?

Op here - at this point I am fine with them just watching tv till this is over. Who cares about school of healthy food. I am just trying to survive at this point. It’s been 50 days and I am burned out.

I Definitely support relaxing today - Sunday. Let them do watch TV etc and take a break.

Tv all day. They will be fine.

OP, do the following immediately and DO NOT WAVER (I promise it will make things easier):

1) write out an hourly schedule and post it to the wall in BIG print, as you go through the day check off each hour that passes in red...your kids will start living by and for the schedule and those check marks and the day will feel more manageable to you.
2) list of DAILY chores for each kid (keep them simple but non-negotiable)
3) consequences for not doing chores or any misbehavior on the FIRST offense (no warnings): privilege taken away (screens, etc.) followed by early bedtime
4) get them outside as much as possible and keep them there to cut down on clothing changes. If they are still going through tons of outfits, show them how to hand wash in a basin outside with soap and water...will keep them busy and counts as a “chore.”
5) make bath time your rest time: start bath 30 min earlier and bring a pillow into the bathroom and lie down while they play as long as they want.
6) bribe them with a weekly prize for doing their chores and getting along and for being mommy’s helpers. PRAISE will get you a lot more peace than telling them how tired you are.

Remember our kids didn’t ask for this and they are also struggling, just not like we are (I am sad for my kids but I have to keep my s*it together or they will have nothing to rely on for consistency).

Good luck OP and know you’re not alone. 🤗

Sending love and hugs your way OP!

Op here - it doesn’t help that I think between the two older kids they went through 6 outfits because they fell in the mud so many times. And they fight me on everything. Plus my husband works all the time and doesn’t help. I don’t think he has taken a day off since the pandemic started. So here is a box of cheese-it’s and your kindle. I am done. You can wear dirty clothes and eat snacks all day. Maybe for the next month. Who cares.

Paw Patrol all day, op. Let them watch tv and get some rest. Hugs.

Op here. My other kids are 3 and 5. They are being awful. My husband works 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week.

I have gotten 4 hours of broken sleep today. Today is going to be horrible.

Quarantine is hard. Quarantine with a newborn is the absolutely most torturous thing I can imagine. You have all my sympathies.

So sorry, OP. I feel exactly the same way...I was hospitalized (for non-COVID reasons) and am too sick and tired to even think about turning in schoolwork and limiting screens.

I'm up with a newborn too honey while my olders are snoring it away; it will get better. Listen to the rain and breathe.

Before I say anything else, here's a virtual hug .

Do you have a basic schedule set up, one with breaks? This might help get the momentum back up and also give you a bit more balance. If you don't mind me asking, what are the ages, numbers of children that are older than newborn? I'd love to try to unpack the monster of being overwhelmed with you.

You are all right, OP. You are doing enough. The kids are all right. It’s Sunday. Let them be totally free.

The kids can watch tv till their eyes bleed out if their heads. They can eat whatever they want. I am done. No more laundry, cooking, cleaning, forcing them to actually do worksheets. Till this quarantine is over they can just do whatever. I am so fing tired. I have been up since 3am with my newborn. There is no end in sight. This seems like it’s going to go on forever.