Feeling a bit burned out this week....

[JennJubie]

I guess this is just a bit of a rant. It's been a rough week. I mentioned in another thread that my little screamer decided to start screaming again, (although thankfully yesterday was better). Both my dd and ds have had rough behavior this week. My daughter acts out because she's still adjusting to having other kids in her house. My son acts out because he has behavior issues. My husband works crazy hours. I wake up at 6:30 and no word of a lie, I don't sit down until like 10:00 p.m. And to top it all of, I'm pretty sure I have PMS this week, lol.

[treeholm]

I'm in my first year, so I don't have a lot of advice except to say that every career has its ups and downs. If you are feeling burned out this week, please be kind to yourself. Is there something you can use to reward yourself with? A hair appointment, massage, new book etc.? I decided when I started that February might be rough (desperately wanting to be able to play outside, and it's been too cold for a while now), so I planned some rewards for this month.

[Fun&care]

Ugh I hear ya....I am sssoooo pms'ing, this has been the worst in a while for me...I've been feeling the same as you, a little burnt out...no real advice but just sayin I feel ya, feel better soon:)

[bright sparks]

Why don't you try to schedule a couple of days off. I usually take the Friday before Family day off so I get 4 days off and a shorter week both sides of the long weekend. It can make a difference. As you are new to this work, try to keep a mental note of your signs of burnout so you can try to come up with solutions to either avoid it or deal with it. I am 6 1/2 years in and still haven't figured it out but once I feel my common indicators of burn out coming on I try to book a couple of days off. I understand its easier said than done to make time for yourself.

I think as a mother and caregiver it's in our nature to look after others and neglect ourselves. I know lots on hear will say that they manage it and more power to them but for certain personality types it's more of a struggle to do this but it's absolutely necessary. I feel burnt out almost permanently these days and even with the best intentions it's difficult to change habits of a life time over night. I keep trying though. My mantra is "baby steps" no pun intended lol

I don't know how old your own kiddies are but perhaps over march break a couple of day camps would give you a break?? I can't afford to go away at March Break this year due to losing half my kids in December but I am going to take a couple of days off and I am sending my kids to a couple of day camps at the YMCA. It will give me an opportunity to have some alone time. I will feel it financially but I am being more frugal right now to enable myself this time to recharge.

Do you have a set "quiet time" in the afternoon for dckids to nap and which also includes your children having quiet time regardless of their age? Even if your own kids are not used to a quiet time I would implement it for them ASAP even if its just an hour that your own kids can watch a movie or play quietly in their rooms it will be better than your described day now with no time to breath. By making it compulsory for them and part of their routine, you can establish this time for them and yourself ongoing. Hope my advice helps. :flower::flower::flo wer:

[JennJubie]

I can't really afford anything extra right now. I think I would really just be happy to have a day to myself, and to have the warm weather back. I find this time of year that stress gets to me so much easier. My 'me' time is usually a book and a tea on the front porch after dinner, and I can't do that in the winter.

[crafty]

What about a session in a tanning bed. If you are having a bit of winter blues on top of it maybe it will help. Now I know they are not reccomended and I don't use them myslef but just for a little warm boost ! Your tan will look better, it's only 10-15 minutes and not that expensive I think ? I was thinking of trying it myself. I hate not beeing able to go outside and naps here lately have been awfull. I am also feeling a bit in the dumps and I have such bad PMS too. I would love to have a day for myself. Do you have friends or family that could help look after your kids over the weekend ? Maybe invite yourself over for dinner at a friends place and sleep over ? Just some toughts ...

[monkeymama]

ive been feeling like this the last couple of weeks....hubby has been helping me alot more with dinner clean up and bedtime so i can run myself a bath every night and relax. just that little extra quiet time makes a world of difference :)

[sunnydays]

Tis the season to feel glum. I've been feeling run down too...and restless. We've had very little outside time this winter and it is starting to get to me...too much really cold weather :( Just keep thinking...spring is coming soon...it helps me a bit.

[cfred]

I took a couple days to myself once when feeling that burnout was near. I disappeared into a hotel room in Toronto for one night all by myself. It was LOVELY! I watched a couple movies, ordered room service, wandered around the city alone with a cup of coffee, enjoyed a few glasses of wine in a bubble bath. The best part was that no one could reach me. I turned off my phone and literally took myself out of everyone's equation for a the better part of 2 days.

If all else fails, there's no problem too big for chocolate :)

[JennJubie]

ive been feeling like this the last couple of weeks....hubby has been helping me alot more with dinner clean up and bedtime so i can run myself a bath every night and relax. just that little extra quiet time makes a world of difference :)

Again, one of the problem being my hubbys crazy hours. Poor guy works two jobs, so even though he's really good about helping with housework when he can, he has no time to do so. I like the idea of the sleepover. Every once and a while I get together with one of my good friends and we make a night of it. I think it's time to do so.

I'm sorry to hear so many of you are also feeling this way. This time of year really stinks for this. We're all feeling cabin fever to some degree.

[playfelt]

Let a few things slide like programming, extra crafts, keeps meals simple. This is the time of year to conserve energy as much as possible.

[Momof4]

Playfelt is the master! I would do exactly as she said and not feel the least bit guilty. In fact I have done it. When I get down in the dumps I take it easy on ME. I let the children play, they love to play, it's what they do! We don't have to entertain them every day as long as we are right there protecting them and keeping them safe and monitoring any bad behaviour. And please pamper yourself and make sure you have a little quiet alone relaxing time every evening. Hope you feel better soon but sometimes it lasts a couple weeks. It usually hits me from about Nov-Jan.