Exhausted and stuck in a rut!

[Powelly]

Help please fellow Mummies! I'm a mid thirties, mum of two boys (6&3), work 4 days and do most of the housework. I've literally run out of steam and feel physically and mentally exhausted. Ds3 has been a major source of stress due to his strong willed nature and refusal to toilet train. Plus he's dropping his day sleep so it's either tired and cranky all afternoon or if he sleeps he's up til 9pm. I'm feeling anxious and worn out. I can't get through a day without needing a rest or a sleep, I've had every medical test under the sun as I feel so worn out but nothing shows up. I feel like my 90 year old Nan has more energy!

Am I alone here? What do you do if you feel this way?
I can't drop any work days as we have a mortgage and I can't afford to hire help. Our families are all busy and we rarely get time away from our boys.

I feel like I'll end up with depression if something doesn't give.

[MrsFabuloso]

I have felt that overwhelmed, and I ended up putting the kids in day care to save my sanity. We had to sacrifice a little to make it happen, but I needed time out from everything. At the time, a day care day was our only option. We still have our little one in day care now, and the bigger kids are in school and that is how I get time out, and sometime hubby is off work, so we get a chance to have date days.

Does your partner help you? Have you spoken to him about how you're feeling? I would give your family a try and see if you can get one day every two weeks or even once a month away from the kids either on your own or with your partner. Maybe granny or aunty/uncle or a good family friend could look after them for a whole day or even over night every now and again? Maybe you could offer to do the same for them, or to do something else to help out? Everyone is busy, but everyone also need time out.

[Lilly-Pilly]

Have you had your blood sugars tested for hypoglycemia? Not just an insulin test, but a proper fasting 2 hour one?
You sound like I did about 9 years ago, and I saw doctor after doctor who did nothing. In the end someone told me to demand the blood test and turns out that's what it was.

[Powelly]

Have you had your blood sugars tested for hypoglycemia? Not just an insulin test, but a proper fasting 2 hour one?
You sound like I did about 9 years ago, and I saw doctor after doctor who did nothing. In the end someone told me to demand the blood test and turns out that's what it was.

Mrs Fabuloso thank you! I have just asked my mum to watch the kids next Saturday night so DH and I can escape and have some time out!
Lilly-Philly, you are bang on and I'm not sure why I didn't think of that. I actually suffer from hypoglycemic meltdowns if I don't eat every 2-3 hours. I literally shake and feel like I'm about to pass out. I didn't realise you could be tested for it. I try and snack/ eat properly but honestly, a lot of the time I'm last to look after myself. How are you now? What did you do to help yourself?

Thanks ladies so much 😊

[Lilly-Pilly]

I'm fine now (except the part where I'm almost 39 weeks pregnant and exhausted!)
I just ate a strict low GI diet, cut out sugars and ate regularly. It took a good few years of doing that to really calm everything enough to be able to enjoy treats without falling asleep after eating them, but it didn't take long to improve the overall symptoms after sticking to the low GI diet. Little things like eating a handful of nuts if I had a treat, regular snacking, making a list of low GI things I could eat so I could keep them on hand and graze throughout the day. Baked beans on burgen bread toast became a staple in my diet!
Hope you feel better quickly and get some rest and take care of yourself too!!

[Joseph Ray]

I can assure you that all moms feel this way at one point or another. You're not alone

I know life can be stressful, especially when you're the mum and you have to take care of... everything!, but life works out. Here are some tips to help you get through the rough patches:

1. Remember who you are. You're a mum! Your first and most important job is to love your children. Remember everyday what a blessing it is to have your boys, no matter what struggles you face together. Do not get caught up in stress and forget to slow down, enjoy this time, and relax!
2. Schedule. I know this sounds painful, but, trust me, scheduling will make life flow more smoothly. Schedule a time to work, a time to clean, a time to care, a time to eat, and, most importantly, a time to RELAX!
3. Delegate. As your boys get older, they have the responsibility to help mum with some of the household chores. Don't feel like you have to do everything by yourself. No matter their age (even a capable 3 or 4 year old can help with chores), tell your children to help with laundry, dishes, and other cleaning.

I know this list was by no means comprehensive, but I hope these few life lessons helped!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Oh, I love the mansplaining. Forget you are a person and just play mummy until your dreams, hopes and personality disappears, then you'll be fine. Hang on in there, Mama! See, you don't even need a screen name mention, you are Mama so go be one and feel #blessed.