feeling overwhelmed

hannah&ben

I have so much crap to do.  None of it is a super big deal or anything, just lots of appointments, lots of house cleaning, lots of laundry, lots of family and social commitments, lots of home improvements/maintenance, etc. just like we always have and just like everyone else has.

However, right now I just feel completely overwhelmed and panicked when I try to think about getting it all done. Then there's the whole "It's summer and the kids are supposed to get to have some fun" thing (who has time for that?)... and Ben has a bunch more work travel over the next few months (lucky!)...

Despite a mile long to do list, here I sit on the bump avoiding everything.  Do you think it will all just go away if I ignore it?

Seriously though, does this happen to other people?  What do you do?  I just can't seem to get my crap together these days!  I feel like everybody else is so much more on top of things... Especially all of the other SAHM's of Jack's little friends... those chicks have spotless houses, more children than me and host play dates every other day.  We just got invited to a play date at one of their houses tomorrow and I almost cried thinking about having to chase Henry all over her fancy house (to keep him from tearing sh!t up) and leaving all the crap that I need to be doing here.

UGH!  Don't get me wrong, I'm a generally happy camper, love my kids and husband and I know we've got it pretty darn easy all things considered.  Right now I just feel like everything is a disaster!

ETA: I just wanted to add that yeah, the million things to do thing stinks... But, the worst part of it all is realizing at the end of some days (more than I'd like to admit) that I feel like I didn't even get to enjoy anything... not my time with my children, not my time with my husband, not anything I did... because it was all spent in a mad dash to do other things... Sad story.

 

Ttimes3

hannah&ben:

Seriously though, does this happen to other people? 

Are you inside my head?

KristenBtobe

Yes, indeed. Moreso now that I'm working more hours. But, I'm a listmaker and that always makes me feel better, then I take it one thing at a time.

buckeyethor

hannah&ben:

I have so much crap to do.  None of it is a super big deal or anything, just lots of appointments, lots of house cleaning, lots of laundry, lots of family and social commitments, lots of home improvements/maintenance, etc. just like we always have and just like everyone else has.

However, right now I just feel completely overwhelmed and panicked when I try to think about getting it all done. Then there's the whole "It's summer and the kids are supposed to get to have some fun" thing (who has time for that?)... and Ben has a bunch more work travel over the next few months (lucky!)...

Despite a mile long to do list, here I sit on the bump avoiding everything.  Do you think it will all just go away if I ignore it?

Seriously though, does this happen to other people?  What do you do?  I just can't seem to get my crap together these days!  I feel like everybody else is so much more on top of things... Especially all of the other SAHM's of Jack's little friends... those chicks have spotless houses, more children than me and host play dates every other day.  We just got invited to a play date at one of their houses tomorrow and I almost cried thinking about having to chase Henry all over her fancy house (to keep him from tearing sh!t up) and leaving all the crap that I need to be doing here.

UGH!  Don't get me wrong, I'm a generally happy camper, love my kids and husband and I know we've got it pretty darn easy all things considered.  Right now I just feel like everything is a disaster!

ETA: I just wanted to add that yeah, the million things to do thing stinks... But, the worst part of it all is realizing at the end of some days (more than I'd like to admit) that I feel like I didn't even get to enjoy anything... not my time with my children, not my time with my husband, not anything I did... because it was all spent in a mad dash to do other things... Sad story.

 

The bolded is my life. I get overwhelmed and never know where to start.... house projects, regular cleaning, laundry, painting, chores, exercising, yard work, art and crafts for DD, etc etc etc.

Superchicy

I totally understand where you are coming from.  I feel like even with just one child, I never catch up.  I get home from work, fix dinner, get DD to bed, clean up a bit, and I am so pooped I just let the rest go and it piles up on me.  I too am a list maker, for some reason if I can see it on a list, I can say, ok, I'll do this one thing, go do it, and cross it off.  I feel more in control and can actually see in front of me that something got done, no matter how small. 

bellevuebride07

I like lists too, especially ones made with Sharpies, they make everything seem more manageable. 

You can come let Henry run around my house anytime.  No risk of ruining anything here

Ttimes3

bellevuebride07:

I like lists too, especially ones made with Sharpies, they make everything seem more manageable. 

This is fantastic. I love Sharpies. True story!

adamsbabble

Come to my house instead of that other lady's.  It's not fancy or clean.

warriormomerin

daves_sweetpea:

hannah&ben:

Seriously though, does this happen to other people?  What do you do? 

Therapy & ADHD meds. I meet with a psychologist once a month & she helps me figure out ways to manage my time, focus, stuff like that.   Also, we don't invite ANYONE to our house!!

Pretty much this, except I take anxiety meds. 

I like "To Do" lists, but found that my lists were so long that I would have anxiety about them. My therapist suggested keeping my list 3-5 items before moving on to another list. It seems to make things a little less overwhelming, although I've always got that "mental" to-do list in my brain that haunts me. I usually tell it to STFU. 

 

KYmama9286

I often feel exactly this same way and I only have 1 child! I seriously cry to DH about this on a regular basis because I feel so unproductive and like I am just not "good" at my job of being a mom/homemaker-- our house is perpetually messy and I just cant seem to stay on top of it, I know that I could be more productive with my "free time" (i.e. when Nicholas naps) but I never feel like using those few hours to get things done--when do I get to be lazy and veg out?!, etc.

I very easily get discouraged and feel like saying "whats the point!?" when it comes to cleaning and what not. But then again I have times where I am not bothered by it at all-- who knows? hormones? I'm rambling but just wanted to say ((hugs)) I'm right there with ya!

teacherjess

Parenting and taking care of a house is overwhelming. I don't care if you're working or not. Dh and I BOTH stay at home all summer and I still send DD to daycare a few hours a week. I don't feel guilty at all. If I didn't, nothing would ever.get.done. I do not know how SAHMs do it and manage to keep the house clean and dinner on the table.

linzpinz14

I feel overwhelmed too.  I am only working 2 days per week right now and I still feel like I can only get a couple things knocked off my list per day.  I could use a week off of being a mom, wife, childcare provider, cook, cleaning lady, and all the other very important etcs. that I do, to finally get to my list. 

rottie06

I can tell you I feel the same way.  I work 6 days a week which causes tons of mommy guilt on top.  Oh and the pregnancy hormones are making me a total disaster.  I almost quit my job today.  I walked out early and I am thanking God that the boss was not there because I had some very choice words.  I am totally unproductive at work and home.   I create lists but then lose the lists which makes me even more frustrated.  Did I mention my p/g hormones are driving me crazy?     

kel716

I think the world moves too fast.  We're inundated with so much information and it's interesting.  I love playing on the interwebs and seeing what's going on.  It's way more interesting than the dishes in my kitchen and the laundry on the floor of my laundry room.  It will still be there tomorrow. 

I'm with teacherjess... even on summer vacation, I still have too much to do.  I used to make lists but they do get too long.  I try to clean one big thing each day on top of the dishes and that seems to help...  my house is by no means immaculate, but it definitely helps me at least keep the house presentable.  The other thing that always makes me feel better is a clean kitchen.  If the kitchen is clean I feel like the rest is doable. 

tpo1118

adamsbabble:

Come to my house instead of that other lady's.  It's not fancy or clean.

LOL I was thinking the same thing, as I sit on the bump looking at toys ALL OVER THE FLOOR. It's no worries. I totally plan to push them in a corner so I can vacum around them.

Mrs.Babbsy

This is how I feel right now!

Sorry Hannah!