Burnout

MKDee

What do you do when you're feeling really burned out by the whole working mom gig?  Without going into specifics, my job has required extremely long hours for the last six to nine months, and my DH is not home much in the evenings and weekends, so I'm pretty much always either working or taking care of kids/house stuff.  I'm not likely to get a true "break" anytime soon, but I really need to find a way to get some "me time," even in small doses.  So, what do you do when you need a mini-break?  I need ideas!

lexusolsen

Can you pick up the kids a little later and work out or just read at a coffee shop? Hire out some of the housework?

amberhoothoot

Grandparent time has been huge for us. Any family nearby who could just give you a couple hours to relax on a weekend?

driveshorses

I don't have much advice, except for what one of the other posters said with grandparents. My DH, DD and SS are going to SC with my in-laws this week for a really long weekend. I have to work, so I'm staying home. I can't believe how much I'm looking forward to it. I am in your shoes right now, I never feel like I'm "off". See if you can have a family member watch the kids for awhile and get some YOU time. I'm going to go to IKEA by myself and I think that is what is going to get me through this super long work week.

Good luck, you need your time too!

st.augbride

I would take a sick day or personal day every now and then and just make it you time.

aglenn

I'm with you - I feel like I am always "on duty" in one way or another.  We are far, far away from family, too, so the grandparent thing is not an option.  I am able to work from home sometimes which buys me a little bit of time since I cut out the commute, and sometimes I will take a couple hours on a Friday afternoon or something to go get my hair done or get a pedicure or go shopping - just something little for me.  It doesn't have to take a bunch of time to make a difference.  Other than that, my only "me" time in my day is when I get to read a book on the bus to/from work, or when I watch some TV after the kids are in bed.

MKDee

Thanks all. The grandparent thing is sometimes an option, although I don't think I've ever asked then to watch kids so I can have "me" time. I usually think of them as babysitters when we have something to do or somewhere to go. That is a good idea, though- I could probably get something lined up for an evening this week. I can't really take a personal day right now, because work is crazy, but I was able to swing a work-from-home morning today, and I had a glorious extra 30 min of sleep as a result.

SoMoNY

A long weekend sometimes help and so does hiring a house keeper now and then.

A good Sat night our with friends also helps clear the mind

I always tell myself the busy part of year doesn't last forever

christinak22

In relation to the grandparent thing, I invite myself over to my parents' for dinner after work if I know DH won't be coming home until late sometimes. Just to not be alone with the kids makes a huge difference.

I've just recently been making an effort to see old friends, too. We'll get together after the kids are in bed--if DH isn't home, they come over to my house and we have a cocktail on the deck.

Mrs.RockyM

take a sick day and do a massage or leave early and go get a mani/pedi, Some time to myself does wonders!

financialdiva

I left work 1.5 hours early on Friday, and picked the kids up at their normal time. Even though all I did was go to the grocery store, it did wonders for me and made Friday evening with the kids so much more enjoyable, as well as the weekend. What about stepping away from the office for lunch midday and reading? Or shopping?

cindybaf

My lunch time gives me a break during the day, I go home, but the kids are usually at daycare. It's my me time!

Babi2comingSoon2014

I am a morning person so i like to leave an hour early for work if im feeling tense in the house and I will stop and have a breakfast drink somewhere and unwind for about 20 minutes, doing nothing but sipping my drink and people watching... honestly probably looking like a zombie lol, but it works for me and if i get to stressed out and dont have a way to go somewhere alone i watch a sad movie and cry

sweetsunnyc

I hear you- I am feeling burned out right now and it's only Tuesday...

And my DH works from home, so as soon as I get home from work, I take over with the kids, house. cleaning and he contiues to work. Sometimes I feel like I never get a break.

As some of the PP's mentioned, I take a random day off once or twice a month so I can just hang out. Luckily my whole family lives close by, so the grandparents are great to help out. And I just ask for one weekend dayto sleep in- my husband is good about that.

*** How do I update my Sig? It shows that I am 74 weeks pregnant and the pictures are missing my new daughter****

dglvrk2

I don't have grandparents around.  I'm also in a job where it's a pain to take personal time right now.  DH travels to Europe a lot for work. It was hard to ask at first, but once I got into the habit of asking for a little extra time at DC (for more pay, of course) so I could work out or shop occasionally after work, asking friends for a little help, or hiring a sitter, I felt a lot better.  I try to schedule a girls' night or something sans kids on the weekends every month or so too.  

When DH is out of town, DD and I often go to friend's homes for dinner or on extra play dates.  Like a PP said, it's amazing how much easier it is when you're not alone with the kids.

Hang in there!  And don't be afraid to ask for help! 

plusoneblog

I can related, I am also feeling burned out, mostly due to difficult job demands combined with sleep deprivation. I try to get some me time on my lunch break, and after my baby goes to bed. Maybe when your husband is around, ask if he can go somewhere with the kids for an hour or two and give you a break?