Let me start this off with a disclaimer. I love my children and I am still happy that I decided to have a large family, I wouldn't want my life to be any other way. With that out of the way, on to the reason for this post : )
I am so tired! I mean physically and emotionally wiped out. As for the physical part, my allergies have been horrible for the last 3 weeks. My body is so strange, I had years of terrible allergies and then nothing. Every once in a while I would have a day of sneezing and watery eyes, but nothing to really bother me. I have been great for at least 12 or 13 years! Well, now they are back with a vengeance. I have to take Claritin everyday and even that doesn't stop the sneezing completely. Anytime I have to clean anything I start sneezing and can't stop. I can't mess in my garden and even my sewing machine can start it because my cat, Zsa Zsa, loves to nap right in front of it. I am always tired and very grouchy. I keep hoping and praying that it will eventually stop. That it is just something in the air right now, and once it is gone, I will feel better.
The emotional exhaustion is because of my children. Lately, they fight constantly!!! I mean, from the minute they wake up to the time they go to sleep, at least two of them are arguing about something! Usually something VERY stupid! I just listened to an argument between Isabella and Savannah over the fact that Bella missed a crumb on the kitchen floor when she swept. Savannah just HAD to point this out, and of course Bella had to tell her how stupid it was to say anything and on and on and on. Seriously, this fight lasted for a good 5 minutes! I know it is partly because they are with each other all of the time and partly because this is what siblings do, but for some reason I just can't stand it anymore! I think I might start homeschooling before I planned on it, just to give them something to do besides fight. This has always been a very difficult part of parenting for me. I grew up in a very quiet family that never fought, at least rarely. I only have one brother and while we would have arguments they were few and far between. Definitely not everyday. Dh and I rarely argue, so they aren't seeing this modeled for them. And they get along great with other people besides their brothers and sisters, so I am assuming this is just part of having a large family. Lots of kids=lots of different personalities to get on each others' nerves. I keep thinking if I mothered them properly they wouldn't do this, but nothing I do makes them stop completely. The last few days, I have been pretty much just trying to ignore it because I want to just scream with them. I truly love almost every aspect of parenting, even a newborn waking up in the night is doable because you know it will eventually end and waking up with a sweet newborn isn't so bad anyway. I feel like this is never going to end and they are big and stinky, not cute and cuddly lol
And Samuel has started screaming everything instead of talking in a normal tone of voice. I guess he is just mimicking what he hears. I have been disciplining him for this, but I have to be very consistent or he starts doing it again. I just had to stop writing this post to deal with him. My lack of sewing time lately doesn't help either. Sewing and creativity is my outlet, when I don't get it, I have a harder time coping with daily stress.
Anyway, sorry this post is such a downer, but it feels good to talk about it. And dh is tired of hearing it, so y'all have to LOL : D Being a mother is such a huge job, sometimes I can feel very overwhelmed. I just remind myself that the joy it brings me far outweighs the hard times, even if it is hard to see that at this moment : )
13 comments:
Hang in there!!!
Allergies are horrible, my sweet Charles has them too :-(
I know you love your children and your family dearly! And I can only imagine how they can If I lived nearby, I would come over and take everybody off your hands for a couple of hours, get you a dust-mask and sit you in front of your machine!
I hope your life quiets down for you soon. I know how loud, emotional draining and exhausting my two can be. I can't imagine 7!!!
I know what you mean about the bickering. I can handle a lot of noise but the noise of my children arguing and nitpicking each other (or just being downright mean) grates on my nerves like nothing else. And you're right, they never argue over something worthwhile, do they?
I'm sorry about the allergies (have your tried nettle tea?). They are such a drag.
Don't let the (little) turkeys get you down. Go do something nice for yourself (coffee, pretty paper, fabric)!
I think all mothers will be able to relate to your post! I think we all have days like that. Hope your allergies settle! I find that my two, you usually get on quite well, start to get on each others nerves by the end of a long summer break. Hopefully when shcool resumes and they are kept busy, life will settle down. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way :)
Fighting children is EXACTLY what I dealt with today. My kids (I only have 2) usually get along but when they fight, it is a day long battle. I usually try to help make it NOT worth it to them. If they are fighting about silly things then I make them go into one room and they have to stay in there until they work it out. If the fighting continues, then I make them go sit on their beds (no books, no toys, nothing) for about 10 -15 min. After about 2 of these sitting alone and bored sessions, they stop fighting...I think they figure out that it isn't worth it. I sympathize with you and love how candid you are in your blog. Hope tomorrow is a new day filled with peace and clean air!
It's been like that in this house for the last couple of weeks too...
I only have three kids, but oh how they can fight.
school started today so the two oldest are off to school. Just me and the littleman enjoying some quiet time ahome alone ;)
Hope things will settle down for you!
I know what it is like to love having lots of kids, but also to feel weighed down by it. The troubles you are having with the allergies are probably contibuting to things since you are tired. I agree with Jona, try the nettle tea. It works for me. 1 tsp steeped in a cup of water works well.
Have you thought starting the kids 1/2way with school? Maybe just some history or science--you know, something kind of fun. That way it isn't isn't too overwhelming for anyone.
Hang in there! This period will pass and life will seem managable again very soon! I will be praying for you today.
Maybe you should have them read your blog. Perhaps they don't realize how devastating it is to you when they fight - and then they can write their own responses. (Like; I really hate it when she criticizes my sweeping). At least while they're writing they won't be screaming. :>} I wish you well, and I hope the hateful old allergies go away.
I can totally relate-some days are better than others for sure-but you are a great mom.
Wishing you feel better soon with your allergies and will be praying for you! :)
I know what you mean about a house full of kids arguing, picking, bickering...even when it's not modeled for them. I seem to have the same problem, especially lately. The older my boys get (10), the more they try to include their sisters in the arguments, and the louder things become....I know it will pass, but some days are really hard to manage :P
Allergies/sinus stuff may just be worse this year...I've never had trouble with this, but this year has been horrible! I'm hyped up on sinus Tylenol as we speak, lol! I think I'll try the nettle tea that Jona wrote about...I've never heard of it, but I'm gonna go look for it!
Anyway, sending prayers for peace your way...hope you find some "you" time this weekend and a break from the allergies!
Oh Tonya, this could be me, but with only two kids. I agree, whenever my sinuses are out of control, or I have to take Claritin, I am in a horrible mood, and sooooooo tired from the medication. You may have developed some new allergies. Did you know that cats are what most people develop allergies to? I am allergic to cats, and I have never owned one.
My son loves to start fights with his sister. I just put them in their rooms for 20 minutes. Otherwise I will explode. I must admit that the kids just get bored. I have started to send them outside, like mom used to do with us. They both whine because it is so hot, but I just need a break once a day, and they need some exercise. Hang in there, and rest. Tomorrow the sun will be shining again.
I hear you on the arguing! it can be terrible, and over such stupid things. Ugh! There are certain of my five that seem to be doing this constantly.
I hear that raw, local honey helps with allergies, though you have to take it consistently and it's good to start before the season. Might be something to consider for the future.
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