The overwhelming responsibility of so much time with kids who aren't at school, wont be fully at school for ages; while working a highly demanding job is causing me to burn out. At times I snap; and the rest of the time the effort of suppressing my own frustration and impatience is actually causing an unhealthy stress response. My 6 and 4 year old spend a great deal of time scuffling, weeping and yelling at us. This feeling is one of my least favorite things about 2020. Anyone else?
Same. Except I don't have a highly demanding job. You are doing the best you can. You are not a bad parent. Sending you good vibes.
Ditto. And I have no excuse because I quit my highly demanding job right before the pandemic. I also act the same way. And we all spend all our time on screens. Including my three year old who plays his older brother‘s much too violent video games. If he ever goes back to his very fancy preschool, they will have a heart attack about what he has picked up this pandemic. So don’t feel bad. Your parenting could be worse. It could be mine. I spend my time snapping, doing endless cleaning and cooking and wishing I hadn’t quit my job. You are not a bad parent. You are an amazing parent who has juggled a job and kids during a once in a lifetime crisis. Your kids don’t realize it now, but one day they will see what an amazing example you set for them. Keep it up just a little bit longer.
This is the nicest response and made me cry. If it helps, there is no way that someone who wasn't also a great, empathetic, funny and smart person and parent would have written this very succinct summation. Also my second takeaway was what is this video game and does it stop them fighting?
I feel the same way about my 4 yo and the Older brother video Games. I’ll have to give the school a run down of what he might say before I drop him off! He’s kicking around a card board box right now while I have my coffee. Ugh!
it seems everyones kids are on too much screens, and off schedule and we all need to be focused on maintaining their and our sanity . We need to have a lot of empathy for our kids right now because its really tough for them.
Solidarity. I have also wondered many times whether all of this uninterrupted time with only parents (who are short tempered and working) will harm my kids long term. There has been a lot of yelling at our house too. There will be an end.
Have you considered having a nanny come in and take the kids out? dcs are 6 and 4 and my nanny has them out in the park all day while we work .
yes we are about to hire one for when we are back in nyc. currently out of town and dh lost job due to covid so was overseeing kids; then he got one but didn't make sense to hire nanny here when we are going back to city soon so have been tag teaming and doing a terrible job.
Me. And I don’t even have the juggle a job and more than one kid. I have been out of work since late March. I feel so guilty that I don’t have the energy to parent when it’s the only thing I have to do right now. But the 24/7 with my 5 year old and the financial worry has just pushed me over the edge. I waffle between letting him have endless time on his iPad and then yelling at him for being on his iPad. Some days I just suck.
I have 100% been there feeling like you ought to just be doing amazing parenting bc you aren't working, but then you're depressed and stressed and it feels harder than ever. Sure you are doing way better than you think!
@Anonymous ty
Because we all thought this would last 2 weeks. It's more than we can handle.
right!? But we HAVE to handle it. We literally have no choice - and the zero breaks from it thing is making me lose my marbles. How are you supposed to marathon this? like can we all agree they can just watch tv all day long?
I do r have a demanding job but 3 kids , my 4 yo is def needing more attention. I can’t entertain all day it’s too damn much.
omg I am LOSING it. Job is insanely stressful and partly as a result of the lack of attention, one of my kids is regressing and starting to have screaming tantrums. honestly i feel like screaming myself half the time