Wednesday 24 April 2013

Struggling & juggling

I don't know why but I appear to be struggling recently, it's like I am juggling with too many balls and they are all falling down around me (who am I kidding I can't even juggle with 2 balls)!

Sam is being quite difficult at the moment, not sure if its a spurt, or teething or combination of the two, but he can be so grumpy and won't happily play. He won't sleep in his crib during the day, and only has long sleeps when in the pushchair/car. I think that it is probably due to me walking about a lot to playgroups/preschool/friends most days so it is what he is most used to. He has also been waking most nights again, some nights I have been getting by on just 4 hours sleep.

Having 4 hours sleep is really taking it's toll on me, sleep deprivation really puts strain on the body! I have been getting awfully painful headaches the last week or so, which is something I very rarely suffer with. I am snappy and tearful because of it, and I don't like to be like that, especially around the children.

I have been taking it out on James too, when Sam wakes in the night and he's fast asleep next to me it's hard not to feel slightly bitter and jealous, but I can't ask him to help out, he works two jobs and is always shattered himself.

Because Sam has been quite demanding I haven't been able to give Alex the attention he needs and deserves, we haven't played much, we have done no messy play or baking and I want to, but I just don't have the energy or time.

Any free time I do have is to do the washing up/cooking/loading washing machine and sorting out washing, usually with one or two screaming/upset boys in the background which is stressful in itself.

I am hoping this is just a stage and we get back to being a better healthier routine again, Sam's routine has well and truly gone out the window which has thrown everything else up in the air too-the state our house is in is awful and embarrassing, housework needs doing everywhere!

How do you better manage your time between children/housework/cooking meals/having fun? I'd love to know any tricks that help you juggle everything and get everything running a bit smoother!

10 comments:

  1. Big Hug. I know how you feel. It's tough isn't it?
    If it makes you feel any better, my house is a mess, there is ironing / washing everywhere/ toys to be put away etc etc. EB has a very *ahem* fluid routine - because we're always out and about picking Pip up or taking him somewhere, so like Sam, he just ends up sleeping in his pram, and then when we are at home he objects to going in his cot. I've got to the point where I'm now accepting that with two, it's always going to be a bit like that.

    One thing I do try to do when I'm feeling up to it, is a batch cook either spaghetti bolognese or stew and then freeze the rest in portions for other days - so if I've had a bad day I don't have to worry about the evening meal - just defrosting it - and it means I can then spend time on other stuff - cleaning/ playing with the kids/ 5 mins blogging!

    As for housework...I think you just have to try and let it go sometimes. Once it gets past 9pm I think 'stuff it' - I need to have an hour to myself now. When Alex and Sam grow up they won't remember whether they lived in a clean house or not (unless it's REALLY dirty!!). Give yourself a break on that front. You'll get on top of it at some point. x

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    1. Some days I want it to be bed time before the day has properly begun! The amount of cloths I have dotted about the house at the moment is shockingly bad!!
      It is definitely harder with routines (not that I'm a massive fan of routine anyway and I am quite lenient).

      Perhaps I need to batch cook more when Alex is at preschool!

      I don't need much persuading to not do the housework ;) x

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  2. Aw it's so tough when they're tiny isn't it? I have no idea how I'll cope if we ever have another one. It sounds to me like you're doing a great job.x

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    1. Just a bit, you think you have a routine of a sort, and then they change it all up again! x

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  3. Oh man, sleep deprivation sucks. It can be really hard for those sleeping better not to fully appreciate just how hard it can be too. I only had a few hours myself last night as Ozzy was ill and I've been grumbling all morning - and that was just one night! Me thinks I should man up!
    Back when the kids were younger and sleep was a real issue I used to set myself a mini task where the house was concerned and spend 20 minutes a day cleaning one room. By the end of the week I'd have done the whole house. It's more of a rolling rota type thing but it was manageable enough not to feel like an uphill battle - especially when I rewarded myself with a cake and cuppa afterwards ;)

    Hope things ease up for you soon x

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    1. I hope Ozzy is feeling better now, sometimes the one offs leave you feeling worse than when it's been happening a while-catch you off guard!

      Perhaps I need to do that 20min trick! Cake as a treat is a winner for me too! Thanks, hopeign it's just a phase as Alex used to sleep well so am used to easy babies on that front! x

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  4. This sounds so familiar! Everything is a lot harder when you are sleep deprived and I always find that once I get a few good night's sleep under my belt, I am able to make better decisions in general. Does your husband have any holidays coming up where he can help out? Or can you have a lie in at the weekend perhaps? Bella is waking very early at the moment (5am) and it really is hard to stay cheerful when everyone else is lying in. But I know that I will get my lie on Sunday and it helps me recharge for the week. Don't beat yourself up about what you haven't done though, its easy for guilt to set in. Maybe you need to have a chat about sharing more responsibilities as even though you aren't out at work, looking after young children is a very demanding job!
    xxxx

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    1. James should have some time off soon, we are off too the Isle of Wight on the bank holiday. He works 2 jobs so is always shattered himself as working up to 70 hours a week some weeks!Perhaps I can try for a quick lie in on a Sat morning even if it's every other week! xx

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  5. Sleep deprivation is awful, we have a lot of bad nights and some days I just want to curl up in a corner and go to sleep, I have so little patience with the children. It's also so difficult trying to split yourself between two that have very different needs because they are at such different stages. I'm not sure that I have any tips really, but I hope that things get better soon (and they will as they get older!) xx

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    1. I struggle with my patience even on a full night of sleep sometimes! Yes very difficult, I wish I had a double of myself! Hope you manage to have some better sleep soon too x

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Thanks for taking the time to comment :)