Not enough hours in the day!

MrsSippi

I have got a part time job and a 2 year old and between juggling these as well as running a home I feel like I am never getting enough done as well as being permanently tired. This isn't a moan as I know there are thousands in the same boat but I would genuinely like to know how you manage everything.

I really don't think there is anything medically wrong I think it's just a classic case of there not being enough time to do everything. When I get in from work and have done dinner, bathtime, bedtime and preparing lunches for the next day I just want to collapse. My oh does help a bit but he works long hours so is often shattered by the end of the day.

Help - I would really like to hear how others keep on top of things.

balletshoes

with a 2-year old, that all sounds perfectly normal .

It does get better, as your child gets older you won't need to be watching them all the time, they will be able to entertain themselves at times so you can get other stuff done.

Don't worry about it - enjoy your toddler. And don't put pressure on yourself/let others put pressure on you to have a perfect home.

My friend at work puts a lot of pressure on herself, and has an untidy OH and 2 young children, it got so bad earlier this year that she got a cleaner as she was totally stressing out about the state of her house (untidy, not dirty). Now personally, I think thats par for the course with a toddler in the house, i used to give the bedroom a 5-minute whirlwind tidy before bedtime, and the living room the same when my little one had gone to bed.

DigForVictory

I cope by dropping the balls occasionally.
Chosen where possible.
Like not doing Thursday's laundry on Monday, or not batch cooking today but doing it after I've defrosted the freezer tomorrow.

Take that armful of uninhibited delight down to the library & share the chuckles of "Five Minutes Peace". If you happen to go at a time when there's a mum & toddler group, so much the better. All noise is permitted, and there will be other parents in similar boats. If work does not permit, go at the weekend, but definitely read "Five Minutes Peace".

sweaty_betty

OP - we have a similar set-up at home. I'm seriously considering getting a cleaner in (we used to have one and it was great!) so that's one less thing for us to do. Otherwise, it's meal planning, using the slow cooker, so food is less hassle at the end of the day and occasionally taking a day off when there are so many jobs to be done you can't physically do them in the evening.

Georgiegirl256

Do little bits here and there, as and when you have a spare 5-10 mins, a quick blitz in the living room (where any visitors are going to see first!), and do a more intensive clean on any days off....that's if you have any that is?

Could your OH maybe do a little bit more? If one of you cooks then the other one washes up?

flutterby_lil

MrsSippi wrote: »

I have got a part time job and a 2 year old and between juggling these as well as running a home I feel like I am never getting enough done as well as being permanently tired. This isn't a moan as I know there are thousands in the same boat but I would genuinely like to know how you manage everything.

I really don't think there is anything medically wrong I think it's just a classic case of there not being enough time to do everything. When I get in from work and have done dinner, bathtime, bedtime and preparing lunches for the next day I just want to collapse. My oh does help a bit but he works long hours so is often shattered by the end of the day.

Help - I would really like to hear how others keep on top of things.

Oh OP I feel your pain - I work 28 hours a week (4 days) and have a 1 year old and a 5 year old - my OH works til 8 most nights (Mon - Friday) plus all day Saturday and I really really do struggle as I do everything at home too (apart from the wallpaper stripping/man jobs lol).

My 2 are at school and nursery in 2 different villages and I work in a different town so it really is a juggling act. I take our DD to nursery while Daddy takes DS to school. I pick both of them up, do the reading, make tea, clean, iron, do the washing, etc etc.

My only advice is to have a good routine for the children (or child in your case) in regards to bedtime etc, do as much in an evening as you can, ie I make the packed lunches at night, get my two's clothes out at night etc. I only do the cleaning at weekend or when they have gone to bed as I don't physically have the time. I do the ironing on a Sunday and Monday night and always stick to then so I have clothes for the week. I also try to meal plan, ie I made a shepherds pie last night for tea tonight, well no choice really as my DS has his Chrismas Concert tonight!

Good luck!

thriftylass

I agree the best thing is to have a little routine for you and the kids.

I work FT and have a 2.5 year old (and second on the way) and an OH who works FT. I get up in the morning with DS, we have breakfast, play and then he has to entertain himself for 20 min while I put the clean dishes away and stick a wash on timer. Then OH get's up and takes him to nursery and I go to work. I get home a bit earlier, prepare DS dinner and have a quick tidy and ventilate the bedrooms (30 min total). Then sit down with DS for his dinner. Then we all play and watch a bit of bedtime telly (I might hang the washing up and start chopping stuff for our dinner), bath time, story, bed for DS. Quick tidy of the living room. Then I cook dinner, do the dishes while OH might clean the cat loo and take the bins out. After dinner I then do odd jobs like mending clothes or as just now painting the kitchen cabinets. Bed at 10 for me. On weekends I do the bigger cleaning jobs like vacuuming, bathroom, mopping, dusting (all only once a week, bath room/kitchen get a quick wipe as and when needed in between when I'm in there anyway).

That way the main areas are always tidy and clean although I have to admit I still feel there is more to do (conservatory needs cleaning, attics need decluttered, third bedroom and paperwork tidied etc). But this works for us. Not sure what'll be like with two kids come March though

DigForVictory

thriftylass wrote: »

But this works for us.

The most important point.
We may suggest a wide range of things, but in the name of all you hold dear, do What Works For You!

mummyroysof3

I think we all feel like this from time to time and this is the worst time of year for it with all the extra work Christmas can create if you let it.

krustylouise

I am in the same boat Mrssippi. I wok full time and am a single parent to a 6year old. None of my family have ever helped me and have never babysat DD. The only advice I can give, echoes everyone else. Routine routine routine!!! Not only will your child thrive from this routine but you will also. You have to realise what urgent and what's not, you cannot do it all. Be kind to yourself and good luck x

fluffnutter

I just have incredibly low standards.