Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 16:00     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So sorry for your struggles. We are not going through anything like this because I chose to be a SAHM. I used to be you but had the money to quit. I understand how hard life is for a WOHM - especially in these times. I hope things ease up for you and life becomes better.



Really? I am a SAHM with a very healthy financial resource and I still struggle. The kids being out of school, peri menopause, isolation from friends, and the General sadness of the world during a pandemic... I think I would feel better if I actually had something like outside work to call my own.

I’m glad you’re happy, PP, but please don’t try to speak for all of us SAHPs.


+1. Another SAHM here. Honestly wondering if I should get a job for some adult interaction. Was never an issue pre Covid.


Me too! This is complete torture!
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 15:58     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Anonymous wrote:I know many are struggling- many have it much worse than me. I have compassion for single parents and special need families who are carrying additional challenges- but I’m about to go off the deep end. Managing incredible time consuming job that is pretty cut throat in sales—- having kids at home/ some at school- having them online all the time ( I give up trying to limit online time)... I’m also apparently going through menapause— my husband and I aren’t even speaking— I don’t have 1 minute of downtime- up at 5:30 for first one and last one goes to bed at 10... so not a single minute other than when I’m going bathroom that someone doesn’t need something.
I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up. My kids need me but inside I’m falling apart and putting on a show each day to stay present and quite frankly, alive.


OP, you describe me right now exactly. Im so sorry you too, are experiencing this.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 14:02     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So sorry for your struggles. We are not going through anything like this because I chose to be a SAHM. I used to be you but had the money to quit. I understand how hard life is for a WOHM - especially in these times. I hope things ease up for you and life becomes better.



Really? I am a SAHM with a very healthy financial resource and I still struggle. The kids being out of school, peri menopause, isolation from friends, and the General sadness of the world during a pandemic... I think I would feel better if I actually had something like outside work to call my own.

I’m glad you’re happy, PP, but please don’t try to speak for all of us SAHPs.



Of course you are struggling. Pretty much every person in this country is struggling in one way or another. Your struggles are not the same as OP's. You do not understand the pressure and exhaustion that is full time work without childcare during a pandemic. I am not saying you don't have legitimate struggles, but this thread is not about you.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 14:01     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So sorry for your struggles. We are not going through anything like this because I chose to be a SAHM. I used to be you but had the money to quit. I understand how hard life is for a WOHM - especially in these times. I hope things ease up for you and life becomes better.



Really? I am a SAHM with a very healthy financial resource and I still struggle. The kids being out of school, peri menopause, isolation from friends, and the General sadness of the world during a pandemic... I think I would feel better if I actually had something like outside work to call my own.

I’m glad you’re happy, PP, but please don’t try to speak for all of us SAHPs.


+1. Another SAHM here. Honestly wondering if I should get a job for some adult interaction. Was never an issue pre Covid.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 13:53     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Anonymous wrote:So sorry for your struggles. We are not going through anything like this because I chose to be a SAHM. I used to be you but had the money to quit. I understand how hard life is for a WOHM - especially in these times. I hope things ease up for you and life becomes better.



Really? I am a SAHM with a very healthy financial resource and I still struggle. The kids being out of school, peri menopause, isolation from friends, and the General sadness of the world during a pandemic... I think I would feel better if I actually had something like outside work to call my own.

I’m glad you’re happy, PP, but please don’t try to speak for all of us SAHPs.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 13:17     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
So sorry for your struggles. We are not going through anything like this because I chose to be a SAHM. I used to be you but had the money to quit. I understand how hard life is for a WOHM - especially in these times. I hope things ease up for you and life becomes better.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 13:07     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
I'm so sorry, this is so hard right now for so many people. In your case, I would start with your kids' sleep schedules -- why is one getting up at 5:30? If this is a school age child, they need to sleep later or they need boundaries around waking you up. My children (6 & 8) are not allowed to wake me up until 8 on weekends unless there is an emergency. They play and read in their rooms. Everyone is in their rooms by 8 or 9 pm reading books or other quiet activities. You can enforce this! (Assuming that you dont have preschool/toddler aged kids.)
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:59     Subject: Re:Hanging on a thread for the kids
How old are the kids and what is DH doing to help them/you/household or is he almost like having a guest in your own house?
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:46     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
If you have a kid going to bed at 10pm, you have a kid old enough to not need anything from you for a couple of hours. Teach your kids to be a bit more self-sufficient in ways that help you.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:45     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Just get a break. Anything will do. Try for 15 mins walk once a day.

Just give yourself some small thing and don’t let anyone encroach. You won’t get it every day. But you need a break
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:42     Subject: Re:Hanging on a thread for the kids
Hugs, OP. I hear you.

Please keep in mind that this is all temporary - including menopause which plays havoc with your emotional state. Your struggles are real but temporary. Covid and it’s havoc will end.

In the meanwhile, I have found great comfort in the total acceptance that THIS SUCKS!
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:18     Subject: Re:Hanging on a thread for the kids
So sorry, OP.
Is there anything you can do to release the pressure valve just a little bit? Take one vacation day, have your husband do the 5:30 wakeup certain days, etc?
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:17     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
Solidarity OP. DH is coping much better than I am and seems almost annoyed that I don’t have a more “positive attitude.”
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:14     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
I'm sorry, OP. We're there with you.

We have an appointment with the school counselor this week because the teacher is concerned about DC's mental health. Her mental health is the same as everyone else's in our family. I hope the counselor has some ideas how to help because I don't.
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2020 12:02     Subject: Hanging on a thread for the kids
I know many are struggling- many have it much worse than me. I have compassion for single parents and special need families who are carrying additional challenges- but I’m about to go off the deep end. Managing incredible time consuming job that is pretty cut throat in sales—- having kids at home/ some at school- having them online all the time ( I give up trying to limit online time)... I’m also apparently going through menapause— my husband and I aren’t even speaking— I don’t have 1 minute of downtime- up at 5:30 for first one and last one goes to bed at 10... so not a single minute other than when I’m going bathroom that someone doesn’t need something.
I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up. My kids need me but inside I’m falling apart and putting on a show each day to stay present and quite frankly, alive.