I'm so tired guys. How do other moms manage?

[papie]

I feel like I never sit down on weekends.  

Here is what we did.  

Friday night:
- pick kids up
- run home in time for piano lessons
- clean/organize
- dinner for the kids
- get kids in bed
- eat sushi takeout with H and drink wine (this is like our big relaxing time)

Saturday:
- get up, have breakfast, get ready
- go skiing.  eat at ski hill
- come back
- try to put A down for a nap.  We both slept about 30 minutes.  Then it was over.
- Return too small rain boots to walmart and get bigger size (side note, I had to buy a SIZE 6 for my 8yo) 
- Groceries
- Unpack.  Prep dinner
- Dinner
- watch a movie as a family
- get A to bed mid-movie
- clean kitchen
- finish movie
- bed

Sunday:
- get up, have breakfast, clean up a bit, start dinner in the crockpot
- get ready
- go to ski lessons
- have lunch at ski hill
- come back
- try to put A down for nap.  Fail.  
- Clean
- Homework
- Piano practice
- Run errands for bathroom renovation
- go for a run
- shower.  also shower with all three kids to get their hair washed (we do that on sundays)
- finish prepping dinner
- two loads of laundry
- prep for work week, pack stuff for school


I'm fucking tired at the end of the weekend, and I don't even do real cleaning, I have a cleaning person every two weeks.  Ski lessons are over now, so that will free up some time.  But then I feel like I should register them to some other activity for spring? Or say fuck it? 

I JUST WANT TO SIT ON MY ASS AND PLAY ON MY PHONE.  I have a big week ahead at work and am already tired.  Side note, it didn't even feel different getting up an hour earlier today, I was just my usual fucking exhausted self.  Three kids is totally kicking my ass guys.  

How were your weekends? What does your schedule look like?

[Deleted]

Just like yours except add church, a session in the gym and replace skiing with baseball.

[Deleted]

I'm. Exhausted.

Monday mornings are truly like a break for me. I finish my coffee while it's still warm.

[papie]

Maybe I'm just getting old.

[papie]

Mar 13, 2016 20:40:44 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

I'm. Exhausted.

Monday mornings are truly like a break for me. I finish my coffee while it's still warm.

My train ride alone on Monday is so amazing.  Then I grab a coffee as I get into work and sit down.  ALONE.  

[cville]

Tonight I didn't put my son to bed until half an hour after I should've because the mere thought of wrestling 32 pounds of stubborn squiggles was so defeating I couldn't stomach it.

[snipsnsnails]

Ugh, solidarity, papie. Granted, some of my exhaustion is still being up 2 times a night with my infant and a handful of other times with my non-sleeping preschoolers, but I feel like the 3rd was the tipping point, you know? When it was just 2, I felt on top of it, but the third has pushed us into relentlessly exhausted. I'm hoping it lets up as they get into school full time. right???

[eb777888]

Ours are more relaxed but we have one kid. He only does TaeKwonDo on Saturday mornings, then brunch, go ride our bikes or to the park, prep dinner, eat. Our weekends are really fun and laid back. M-F 3:30-8pm is hell for me because I'm fitting in cello, TaeKwonDo, dinner and the endless homework David seems to have.

[papie]

Mar 13, 2016 20:44:16 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Ugh, solidarity, papie . Granted, some of my exhaustion is still being up 2 times a night with my infant and a handful of other times with my non-sleeping preschoolers, but I feel like the 3rd was the tipping point, you know? When it was just 2, I felt on top of it, but the third has pushed us into relentlessly exhausted. I'm hoping it lets up as they get into school full time. right???

I'm liking out of solidarity.  

Alex is still sleeping with me from about midnight on.  And nursing 2-3 times a night.  I know I should try to cut it down but I am too tired.  And he'll grow out of it soon, no? (He is 23 months).  

[cville]

Mar 13, 2016 20:44:16 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Ugh, solidarity, papie. Granted, some of my exhaustion is still being up 2 times a night with my infant and a handful of other times with my non-sleeping preschoolers, but I feel like the 3rd was the tipping point, you know? When it was just 2, I felt on top of it, but the third has pushed us into relentlessly exhausted. I'm hoping it lets up as they get into school full time. right???

Shit, man. My second was my tipping point.

All hail vascetomies!!!

[papie]

Mar 13, 2016 20:45:44 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Ours are more relaxed but we have one kid. He only does TaeKwonDo on Saturday mornings, then brunch, go ride our bikes or to the park, prep dinner, eat. Our weekends are really fun and laid back. 

That's my dream. lol

[eb777888]

Mar 13, 2016 20:46:34 GMT -5 papie said:

Mar 13, 2016 20:45:44 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Ours are more relaxed but we have one kid. He only does TaeKwonDo on Saturday mornings, then brunch, go ride our bikes or to the park, prep dinner, eat. Our weekends are really fun and laid back. 

That's my dream. lol

I know. I shouldn't have responded because I know it can't compare to someone who works and has 3 kids. And I still get overwhelmed, lol. Basically, you're a fucking rock star.

[snipsnsnails]

Mar 13, 2016 20:46:20 GMT -5 cville said:

Mar 13, 2016 20:44:16 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Ugh, solidarity, papie . Granted, some of my exhaustion is still being up 2 times a night with my infant and a handful of other times with my non-sleeping preschoolers, but I feel like the 3rd was the tipping point, you know? When it was just 2, I felt on top of it, but the third has pushed us into relentlessly exhausted. I'm hoping it lets up as they get into school full time. right???

Shit, man. My second was my tipping point.

All hail vascetomies!!!

Ha, I still have in the back of my mind that there are people (don't ask what people, I'm too tired to remember!) that say that you should have even numbered amount of kids otherwise someone will be left out, so it will bother me until we add a 4th. Haha. But am I exhausted because I'm always tending to the odd man out? Things I wonder about and won't know until we give one away or add one.

[Deleted]

Saturday

-Breakfast
-throw a load of laundry in the washer
-get everyone out the door and tidy up on the way out
-Try to manage getting groceries with three kids. I usually complete my trip, lol
-get home around 10 or 11 and try to get everything unpacked. By then Ilya's ready for a nap and clinging to my legs.
-nurse him for half an hour until he falls asleep. Other kids watch a movie.
- put him down and make lunch
-kids don't eat, so I force them outside where one of them starts crying almost immediately
-Clean the house. Finish laundry
-do some sort of activity with the kids
-take everyone for a walk once Ilya wakes up
-start dinner
-clean again
-make kids go outside again, they come in filthy, so it's bath time
- eat. Clean up. Again.
-Skype with h usually at 5:30
-I start getting the kids ready for bed at 6:30. It's crazy early, but they wake up at the same time no matter what time I send them, so meh.
-7:15ish- whenever I fall asleep (usually before 9, lol) is me time, so I workout and play on my phone. But mostly just play on my phone, haha.

Then Sunday is pretty much exactly the same, except replace groceries with running other outings. Mall, park, play center, other random stores.

[textbookcase]

I feel you. 3 kids is bananas. My sil is pg w number 5 and I can't even wrap my head around it. Our schedule is insane 24/7 and I feel like we live in the car some weeks.

[cville]

Mar 13, 2016 20:50:05 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Mar 13, 2016 20:46:20 GMT -5 cville said:

Shit, man. My second was my tipping point.

All hail vascetomies!!!

Ha, I still have in the back of my mind that there are people (don't ask what people, I'm too tired to remember!) that say that you should have even numbered amount of kids otherwise someone will be left out, so it will bother me until we add a 4th. Haha. But am I exhausted because I'm always tending to the odd man out? Things I wonder about and won't know until we give one away or add one.

Oh, I'm certain I couldn't handle the unevenness of 3. Once we decided to have more than 1, my options were 2 or 4.

[rosiebear]

Ugh. So many Mondays I bolted out the door thinking "Thank GOD I work outside the home!" Weekends were exhausting, physically and mentally.

It's better when the kids are old enough to be left home alone during errands.

[mommytutu]

Seriously it's never ending. By the end of the day I'm tired of herding these kids. It's like I have to negotiate all freaking day and they never stop eating! Sorry I totally get it.

[verypunny]

Ugh. We had 8 ten year old boys spend the night. Throw in shopping, errands,laundry and attending another birthday party and I am exhausted.

[isabel]

Mar 13, 2016 20:45:44 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Ours are more relaxed but we have one kid. He only does TaeKwonDo on Saturday mornings, then brunch, go ride our bikes or to the park, prep dinner, eat. Our weekends are really fun and laid back. M-F 3:30-8pm is hell for me because I'm fitting in cello, TaeKwonDo, dinner and the endless homework David seems to have.

Can I ask a personal question? Feel free to ignore! You guys thought about having a second kid? Or maybe even tried? Are you happy with how things worked out?

I think I want a second kid, but sometimes I think about how much easier life is already after a year and how much simpler life seems with just one kid. Sometimes I wonder if having a second kid isn't such a great idea.

[mcmel]

I woke up at 2pm both days and did some things around the house. Cooked, cleaned, grocery shopped, and since we just moved we're still organizing all of our things around. I'm lesson planning for the week now.

Don't sign the kids up for anything in the spring. Take the season off. Throw a ball in the yard for them and sit on your ass. We were broke growing up and we hardly ever had planned activities like that. We survived.

Take a mental break and enjoy being home all weekend.

[sugarbear]

Well, reading about your weekend makes me feel lazy as fuck, so maybe that's my solution?
Friday:
Get kids home by 4
Workout in the garage while the kids either play with H (usually) or watch a video on the ipad (this Friday, as H got stuck at work)
Shower while the boys play with H
Call out for dinner, pick up
Friday night dinners are always a picnic on the living room floor with a movie
Bedtime at 7:30
And I was on the couch for the rest of the night

Saturday:
Wake up with the kids at 6:30, play, get them breakfast
Eat
Play
Wake up H
They watch a show while H and I make coffee and eat
At 9, H takes DS1 to wrestling and I take DS2 to the gym (thank God for two hours of practically-free daycare)
Workout
Grocery store
We're all home at noon
Lunch -- I washed and folded laundry for about 45 minutes while H fed the kids
DS2 Naps and DS1 cuddles and reads with me
Wake up, snack
Walk to park, play
Walk home
H makes dinner while we're at the park
Dinner, show, bedtime at 7:30

Today:
Morning is the same as yesterday: wake up, play, breakfast, tv, gym, home, lunch
Then I got out all the art supplies and we painted for, like, an hour
Nap time / quiet time
Swim lessons
Home, play (I put away laundry), dinner, tv, bedtime

I LOVE Mondays, but my weekends aren't terrible. I'm pretty sure they'll get harder as the boys get older and have more activities. Right now they love going to gym daycare and I'm not complaining about the two hours I get there each day.

Also, chores. DS1 mopped the entire living room / kitchen today.

[shamrockshake]

We have 4 and both work full time. Carpools/ dropping off for practices and running errands on my lunch breaks saves any shred of our weekend. Dd1 had softball yesterday and DH dropped her off and did the grocery shopping before going back to pick her up. a friend drove her home from choir today since I had somewhere else to be. I order everything I can online, do the majority of my grocery shopping first thing Saturday morning.

But honestly I'm always tired. I told DH recently that tired is my default setting now, I literally cannot remember the last time I felt well rested

[papie]

Mar 13, 2016 20:50:05 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Mar 13, 2016 20:46:20 GMT -5 cville said:

Shit, man. My second was my tipping point.

All hail vascetomies!!!

Ha, I still have in the back of my mind that there are people (don't ask what people, I'm too tired to remember!) that say that you should have even numbered amount of kids otherwise someone will be left out, so it will bother me until we add a 4th. Haha. But am I exhausted because I'm always tending to the odd man out? Things I wonder about and won't know until we give one away or add one.

I'll give you one of mine.

[papie]

Mar 13, 2016 20:51:29 GMT -5 @ygmg said:

Saturday

-Breakfast
-throw a load of laundry in the washer
-get everyone out the door and tidy up on the way out
-Try to manage getting groceries with three kids. I usually complete my trip, lol
-get home around 10 or 11 and try to get everything unpacked. By then Ilya's ready for a nap and clinging to my legs.
-nurse him for half an hour until he falls asleep. Other kids watch a movie.
- put him down and make lunch
-kids don't eat, so I force them outside where one of them starts crying almost immediately
-Clean the house. Finish laundry
-do some sort of activity with the kids
-take everyone for a walk once Ilya wakes up
-start dinner
-clean again
-make kids go outside again, they come in filthy, so it's bath time
- eat. Clean up. Again.
-Skype with h usually at 5:30
-I start getting the kids ready for bed at 6:30. It's crazy early, but they wake up at the same time no matter what time I send them, so meh.
-7:15ish- whenever I fall asleep (usually before 9, lol) is me time, so I workout and play on my phone. But mostly just play on my phone, haha.

Then Sunday is pretty much exactly the same, except replace groceries with running other outings. Mall, park, play center, other random stores.

Is your H OOT long term? You truly are supermom!!

[CurlyQ284]

DS is little, not many activities but I'm looking into Saturday morning soccer so he can burn off some energy. SDs aren't in any activities so when they're here we do pretty much the same stuff on weekends.

I work from home and DS is in daycare. I try to do errands on the way to pick him up on weekdays. I finish work around 4, I run any errands on the way to daycare and pick him up at 5 so I don't spend weekends doing errands. I also have a Neato robot vacuum so I haven't vacuumed in a year. I clean a little every day so it stays clean and I don't have to clean on weekends.

Friday: pick up DS, come home and make dinner. DH plays with him or he is driving to get SDs so DS plays with puzzles.
- eat around 6
- bath around 7, lotion up (eczema), brush teeth, pjs, story
- bed around 8

Saturday
- DH and I alternate sleeping in
- DS wakes us up around 7, the person whose turn it is goes downstairs and feeds him breakfast and hangs out (puzzles and kids netflix)
- other person gets up around 9
- get ready and do some kind of activity. Zoo, museum, park etc
- come home around 3 and veg out
- make dinner
- bedtime routine

Sunday
- same morning routine
- we typically stay home sundays, I do laundry while we hang out. Watch kids netflix, walk the dog to the neighborhood playground so DS can play etc.
- make dinner
- bedtime routine
- walking dead and finish folding laundry

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

I cry a lot.

[Deleted]

Mar 13, 2016 21:56:30 GMT -5 Ohhmm(bligo) said:

I cry a lot.

This too.

[papie]

Re: cleaning, it's mostly just cleaning after my toddler. I started putting a 15 minute timer for everyone to pickup/clean before bed, but during the day, it's like he wrecks as he goes. So we constantly have to pick up the box of crayons he threw down, clean the chair he just colored, clean the cereal box he emptied on the floor, etc. Baby proofing doesn't work as well with the third

[InBetweenDays]

We only have 2, and they're a bit older (DS - 7 and DD - 9) so while I feel like we're always on the run it isn't wrangling kids which I think makes it a LOT easier. Although ask me again in two weeks when lacrosse games start and we add flag football for DS and outdoor soccer for both.

Friday:
Pick kids up from school
Drop DD and H (coach) at lacrosse practice
Set up for DD's choir concert
Attend DD's Choir concert
Drop DD off at a sleepover
Watch a movie with DS

Saturday:
Make breakfast for my parents who stayed overnight after opera downtown
Pick (overtired) DD up from sleepover
Rush to Lice Knowing You because we found out during the movie Friday night that DS has lice
Start 4 loads of laundry due to lice
Run with friends while H drops DS off at a playdate
Bring DD to swim birthday
Pick up DS from playdate
Pick up DD from swim birthday
Bring both kids to DD's indoor soccer game
Eat dinner
Fall asleep on the couch while kids watch Star Wars Episode II

Sunday:
Family ski day with 2 other families
Laundry
Piano practice
Dinner
Prep for week

I have an hour commute a few times a week (work from home other days). Others can't imagine having that kind of commute - but for me it's "me time".