How do you cope when you're exhausted?

[Kay11]

Ds has had an ear infection this week and has been up for large portions of the night really crying, or generally just being restless so keeping me awake for hours too. After the 3rd night of this, plus dd's nightfeeds I'm exhausted and on a very short tether. Ds has gone to school today because he said he was feeling much better, but I've still got a very lively dd to manage and I really don't know how I'll keep my cool. By the time ds gets home I can foresee disaster in the patience and tolerance stakes.

So how do you cope when you're on your knees with exhaustion? I don't feel at all patient. I feel angry and resentful and like I want to take tha out on someone. I'm going to try to persuade dd to nap with me in a little while and hopefully ds will be ok and his school won't ring for me to come and get him, but I still don't know how I'm going to make it through the day without shouting/crying/being unreasonable. I can't really go out anywhere because I'm just too tired to drive safely.

[MayBaby2007]

I'm sorry mama. I know it's so hard when you're exhausted. I'm at work right now, on my 16th hour at work..today is Wednesday. I've been up since 8 am Tuesday morning. And when I get outta here I go home to an 11 month old Sprocket. I feel your pain...I really do ((hugs)). Bottom line. You. Need. Sleep. Get it any way you can. Is there anyone that can come over to let you get a nap?

This is what I do (please no bashing...I do the best I can being a single mama): After my long shifts, I take dd in our bedroom, close the door and I sleep...she plays. If I can get at least 4 hours (mostly interupted--but sleep nonetheless) I can function for the day (and have to work midnights tonight as well). The bedroom is babyproofed to a T. When she cries, I wake. My matress is on the floor so she'll crawl in and out of bed with me. That's what I have to do to get sleep. She enjoys it and finds things to entertain herself with--I let her open my drawers and take my clothes out. I'll let her do anything so I can get some sleep. (I used to give her my cell phone cuz it was an instant "snooze button"...but she slobbered too much and broke it...so that's a no-no now).

Anyway...that's what I do. Maybe you're not comfy with that. But you really need some sleep mama. When you're exhausted it's hard not to snap. I don't have any suggestions to help you cope other than...get some sleep! (Or if you're into it, take an energy pill/drink maybe?).

((((Hugs to you))))

[shanna-cat]

peaceful tiredness

sometimes when i get that tired or worn out i make a concious effort to turn it into 'cuddly mode'. we turn on soft music, lay down on the floor or bed to play and turn a what would be active day into a new quiet adventure. as long as i am aware of (and have some control) over how the day is going it kinda tricks me into thinking that i am feeling better- like i am choosing to have a layed back day instead of being forced to. some fun easy ideas are turning the lights down low and playing with flashlights, having a 'pajama day', taking a warm candle lit bath together, and making fun easy meals like pancakes or soup. i find that my kids end up taking cues from me and they enjoy a change in routine- and if you get lucky you can all enjoy a long nap together! the hardest step is coming to terms with your tiredness and then being okay with it- even if you feel crummy
good luck to you mama and remember that you are not alone!

[BellinghamCrunchie]

Originally Posted by Kay11

So how do you cope when you're on your knees with exhaustion?

Way too many dvds.

And way too much coffee.

[alexisyael]

Coffee/ tea. Deep breaths. Yoga (if I can manage to think about it).

Call a friend and have her (and her child) come over and help take my mind off being tired/ provide entertainment for my son.

Remember to eat/ drink enough.

DVDs.

I also do the lie down and let him play while I rest thing, but with an almost 2 year old, that's a bit harder, since he really will WAIL on me (ooooh, mama's dreads are fun to pull!!!!). Better now is to let him play on our (screened in) porch while I lie in the hammock. I don't really get to sleep, cause I have one eye on him, but resting is enough, sometimes.

Making sure to stay cuddly and not take it out on him is pretty key... my fuse is short short short when it comes to getting hit, kicked or punched (especially during diaper changes, which he sometimes fights) so I try really hard to keep myself calm during those times when I know I'll be most provoked.

Worst case scenario (I have done this only a handful of times) I call my husband and make him come home early. It sucks, I feel bad, but there are times when I just CANNOT COPE with how tired I am and that isn't safe.

HTH.

[dubfam]

Originally Posted by BellinghamCrunchie

Way too many dvds.

And way too much coffee.

This is us too!!!

[jaidymama]

Do something completely different... change the activity... get out play dough or change the scenery... send the kids outside, or even go to a park... if that's not too much work. I find even when I'm really tired that getting fresh air helps. Plus the kids seem to be happier when they are running outside.

Be honest with your kids... ask for what you need... I flat out just tell my son that he needs to play quietly while I take a nap. Which means me usually lounging on the couch while he plays in the same room. I usually try to doze for an hour just to get enough energy going to sustain me.

I also skip any chore or task that isn't life or death. Make things easy on yourself.

Oh, and if all else fails, I splurge for a $3 espresso. I rationalize it by telling myself that if it helps me keep my cool while caring for 3 kiddos then it's worth it.