It ain’t easy

I got through the horrible first 4 weeks of Ella's feeding difficulties.  Then I started to be able to enjoy parenthood.  And once I became confident getting out and about with baby, I enjoyed it even more.  But I seem to have hit a bit of a wall, which probably has something to do with hubby working evenings again for a while (he's always working Saturdays too and sometimes Sundays) so I get Ella all to myself all day and most of the evening; Ella's going through a grizzly not sleeping phase - a growth spurt or teeth playing up or something, and I'm getting so sick of being at home in our half-renovated house but don't have the money for us to go away (which I would LOVE to do).  I've got a coffee group and am about to join a new one and hope the Plunket one takes off too.  I'm getting out and about with going walkies.  I'm really fortunate to have some friends with little babies too.  But despite all that, I've recently been pretty unhappy with being a SAHM (and I don't think employment would help in my situation).  Anyway, I felt quite miserable for a while there, but think things are about to turn around.  Having a good talk to hubby helped, and trying to talk to my mum only made matters worse (when will I learn that I'll only hear how she had everything worse!!!).  But I wanted to say...  if you're finding it really difficult - admitting it really does help things!  We're not 'meant' to admit that being a mum is hard or that we feel bored or lonely or irritated sometimes, but hell, we all do at some point, right?  Doesn't make us bad parents or mean we love our children any less. 

Forgot to say...

I take my hat off to single parents.  How the hell do you do it???  You amaze me!

Having been a single parent for 18 mths I would have to say that even now I have my moments where I think it might actually be easier than having a "fourth child" in the house!

But you are so right Andie - it ain't easy, and there ain't no point trying to pretend it is! People always say to me "it must be hard having twins" and then look shocked when I say "yeah, it is." What do you want me to do, lie? Well you asked!

I felt exactly the same wayAndie. Lewis works until 3am, so sleeps all day, then gets up at goes to work at 3pm- so misses the day AND night shift. It can suck big time to be left on your own all the time, especially with no car! BUT, I found what really helps for me is to have a schedule for the day.

as for single parenthood - i have no idea how people are able to do this.

Janine you have no weight! And I've only ever seen you in an absolutely ugly hospital uniform (about as ugly as the gown I was in ) hehe

Maybe you should stroll... or should I say strut... around here sometime.

Emma I hear you about the fourth child. I was a single mum for around 20 months and also think sometimes it would be easier.

And Andie it's comforting to know I'm not the only one who gets the "What do you think we did in my day" speech. you worded everything so perfectly.

Hubby works very long hours then comes home and falls asleep on the couch, yet I'm not aloud to be tired or grumpy as I'm lucky, I get to stay home all day and have lots of breaks and well hell according to hubby I don't do much all day anyway his words "How hard is it anyway"!

I love being a stay at SAHM but will admit there are some days I dream of being back in the work force but know that I would miss the kids too much and know that it's not the answer. It's nice to lnow I'm not the only one who gets frustrated.

yep flet the same way latley and it does help to talk about it and i am lucky being a single perant as i have familiy dont no if i could do it if i was on my own

Bump for SB and all the other new mums