At the end of my tether...

[Scattymum]

I'm feeling so overwhelmed right now, I have a huge amount on my plate at the moment, My SIL has asked me to paint some canvases and repaint some old furniture for a house she is doing ( she is an interior decorator), I love doing this stuff but its the same old story that she thinks I have nothing to do since I am a SAHM. I can only do this stuff in the evenings when the kids are in bed and she has only given me a couple of weeks notice to finish them ( each canvas takes at least 3 days to dry out).I'm feeling the pressure on this one as I really want to do a perfect job so that she might give me some more work in the future, I have no faith in myself, everyone tells me my artwork is good but its always been a personal thing up to now - I've never done canvas for other people. I'm also trying to finish some homemade gifts

DH is working in England for the next few days which puts me under extra pressure as I have no help in that department. he is back on friday but is away monday again overnight.

The house has gone to pot, mess everywhere, I cant seem to get it under control, everytime I clear something my little destructer goes to work and undoes all the tidying I have done

the main * problem * * is Jamie

Jamie is wired to the moon

Yesterday while I was putting the washing in he got into the bathroom - filled the sink with tissue and put both taps on - resulting in a flooded bathroom ( all in the space of 3 minutes ) he is also big into climbing at the moment, jumping off the kitchen table is a big game at the moment - he has a black eye and a cut tongue from yesterdays escapades, plus he is big into hiding things - I found my car keys in the milk jug this morning after searching for an hour, only for the fact did ciara decide to have cereal and I wouldnt have found them!!. I just cant leave him alone for a minute for fear of what he will do, then this evening the phone rang, while I answered it he must have climbed on ciaras desk, found a green marker, gone into the sitting room and drew all over the coffee table and the whole of one wall ( it used to be a nice cream colour) the fireplace and some of the kitchen tiles, most of the hall wall is also destroyed with biro as well. This is only a small selection of things he has been doing - the tip of the iceberg so to speak. I have lost 4 phones down the toilet over the last few months - he has a bit of a phone fetish.

I was picking up Ciara from school this afternoon and my friend asked what I had been feeding him - he was so hyper.

Because ciara has ADHD I do watch their diets, they get very little processed food, a few sweets, no pop .

the only good thing LOL is that Ciara is alot more settled at the moment and is really quite calm this week LOL

anyway I'm not really looking for any answers but I just needed to get that out of my system!!! . I'm going to make myself a huge cup of coffee, take a deep breath and try to plan the day LOL!
thanks for listening!

[Nada.Leona]

Wow! Well, at least it doesn't sound like Jamie is unhealthy! Lots of energy in that little guy. Have you had his thyroid checked? My brother had ADHD when he was young, too, so I know what you're talking about, but he was never that active (not that I remember). Maybe if I asked my mom it would be a different story.

[nodmicks]

I have no advice. However heres a (((((BIG HUG))))) FOR YOU!

[mom22grls]

Hugs from me, too.

I started telling people "no" to too lots of things a couple years ago. It took alot of guts & people are angry, but I need my sanity.

[daddys3chicks]

HUGS Rachael! I have a planner I carry everywhere I go. When someone asks me if I can do something for them (assuming I do nothing because I am a SAHM), I "check my schedule". Our job is just as important as everyone elses and we shouldn't feel guilty for saying no to outside requests.

HUGS!

[psjkmom]

Sounds like your little one takes some extra attention. Do not be afraid or embarrased to say no to other's requests. Jamie and Ciara are a full-time job and the most important one to you. Tell your sil that you'd be glad to work for her, but that you need more notice next time. It's very difficult to be a mother to a 2 year old. It gets easier as they hit 3. Try to not be hard on yourself. Don't worry too much about the mess in the house. It will be taken care of soon enough. Take care of yourself - you are very important to two very important children!

[Emerald_Mommy]

I don't have any advice but you can vent here whenever you need too!

[mom2matty]

from me as well!!

[hollyhill]

My youngest (she is now 8) was a handful to when she was 1.5 to 3.5 years old.
She wasn't a problem in the house (just the usual messes pulling pots out of cupboards, books off of shelves adn collecting everyones toothbrushes, she loved toothbrushes ) so much just everywhere else. She had no fear and would run off with anybody or disappear if I turned my back on her. So going to church or shopping or .....required that my complete attention be on her at all times. She was agile, fast and active and could be out on the road in a moment of distraction. She had no sense of danger and did not mean to be "bad" she just was curious and wanted to know what was there or around the corner or ....
Her verbal ability was very delayed compared to her small and large motor abilities.
My other two were nothing like that! They always stayed by my side and spoke and understood very well even at age 2.
So yes, I learned to say "no" to outside requests at that time in my life.......I had to for her safety and my sanity. I also stayed home as much as possible!!!!
Having said that fast forward a few years......and she is a great child. Her character is still the same......agile, curious, persistant, independent, fearless, full of energy.......but in an 8 year old these are good traits. Just a little are to handle in a 2 year old.

So focus on who your son is. What does he need to develop into the person he will be. But certainly don't turn your back on him for now and try to direct his energies in a positive way. Perhaps he will be a painter like you? Do finger painying, model with clay....
Make sure he gets alot of outlets for using up that energy....hours at the park?

I know you didn't ask for advise but it made me think of my Dd . And how I wish I could have seen into the future to see what a remarkable little girl she would become.........Instead I remember being resentful and annoyed with her so much. Wishing she was more like my other two......... Now I know they are all unique and I wouldn't trade a single one for the other. But she has been my biggest surprise.
So for now work with your little guy. He is your most important job.

[Michele Annette]

[Michelle]

[Scattymum]

thanks everyone! I really needed those hugs today!

Hollyhill, thanks for your DD story, its good to hear anothers perspective and advice . Jamie is certainly a handful ( much more than Ciara ever was LOL) and everytime he does something he runs up to me says *sowwy* and gives me a hug, he knows how to melt my heart! . He is very like your DD was, runs everywhere when we go out, he has no fear at all. even though the two of them can be hard to handle sometimes I just have to think how lucky I am to have such blessings in my life. We go to the beach every other day to just run and run but they both seem to have an endless supply of energy! I dont know where they get it from LOL!

[forestdale]

I send hugs too.

I know it's hard being a mum sometimes. I agree with what the ladies have said about saying no. You have to look after your family and YOU first. If there's anything left over, others get that. There's plenty of time for you to help other people when your kids are a bit older.

[hollyhill]

Your welcome, Rachael.

I remember looking bewildered at well meaning adults who said that her"perserverance" or "independance" will be a real asset to her one day.....I guess they had one of "those" at one time too.

They aren't 2 forever, Praise God...