New single mums / mums struggling/ single mums

The hardest part of being a single mum

I think the hardest part of doing this alone is on the bad days when everything goes wrong, theres no one to vent to, no one to talk it with out or just listen.
I dont need advice or a problem solver. I dont need people to tell me why theres an issue, i know all that. I know the baby is teething and missed his nap, i know the toddler is learning to push boundaries and is probably going through a growth spurt. I know its all normal development and it will pass. I know tomorrow will probably be better, but right now that doesnt help me. Because today we had to leave the football lesson he begged me for, the one ive paid for the entire term, because hes hungry and wont join in. Hungry because he wouldnt eat the breakfast he asked for. Probably too tired frm the heat but telling me he needs the toilet then refusing to go. The baby is crying because he wants to have a feed, but hes refusing to feed properly as hes probably caught the cold his brother had earlier this week. I gave up and put us all back in the car, now the toddlers screaming cus he wants to go back but the lesson is over. We go get lunch at their favourite cafe but after 2 bites hes done and the baby needs a feed but fell asleep, the toddler is running around and people are staring so we leave. We go into the shop to grab something quick, but the baby wakes up so hes crying and the toddler is lying on the floor screaming about that toy im not buying. Everyones staring amd i just want to go home, its a 10min drive but i cant get to the checkout cus hes screaming for an ice lolly that we already have at home. By the time we are all back in the car everyone is crying, i have to drive home hiding tears behind my sunglasses and its all so loud and so much. We finally get home but the baby is in a state so still wont feed properly and the toddler is moaning and needs a nap so we are definitly gonna miss that swim session i booked. And im overstimulated and hot because its ridiculously warm and clammy right now.
Sure they dont mean it and it will be better tomorrow but today was sh*t.
Thats the hardest part theres no one to go through it all with, theres no one to sit on the sofa next to at the end of the day and just say wow that was the worst day ever. Theres no getting it out. You cant tell your friends cus its too much to dump on them, and even if you do you cant explain it like you're not overreacting, and you cant tell your mum cus she will just say "you chose this" and shes right but i dont need to hear that right now. I dont need to hear how the kids dont mean it and theyre just little because i know that and i love them so much but it doesnt change the fact they were demons today.
I love being a mum but theres no release, no time to stop. Theres just silently crying in the car whilst they all scream, hiding it so they arent emotionally scarred, and feeling like the worst mum ever because you reached the limit and shouted.
And yet when the toddler wakes up i will smile and give him a cuddle, ask what he wants for dinner and try to erase the stress of the day.

in our community

Was this a reasonable reaction ?

I have the most lovely mother in law and we’ve always had positive experiences with one another. The other day I went over to her house around 8pm and I wanted to put LO to bed while we watched the football match. While I was doing this I was struggling abit my methods wasn’t working and I guess the different environment and chatter wasn’t helping her fall asleep. My mother in law kept repeating “she’s not tired she doesn’t wanna sleep” not in a bad way but it made me feel quite overwhelmed bc I knew what my baby needed and yes she was tired just couldn’t get to sleep. BEFORE this she was also making comments about my LO being hot and uncomfortable and I should change her out of her dress into something comfy (which I had already known and was in the process of doing)

The combination of repeatedly being told what to do and my baby being fussy was getting to me a little so I was getting very frustrated but out of respect I said nothing to her. My husband walked in and she immediately started telling him “the baby doesn’t want to sleep “. This pissed me off a lot and my husband couldn’t pick up on it until I discreetly told him to come outside and I explained my frustration and thankfully he understood so well (considering it was the first negative interaction I’ve had with his mum) and afterwards told his mum I’ve got it and to just let me be which I respected so much.

I’m wondering if I overreacted ?

How would you feel about this rejection

We’re out of town, came across an AMAZING bargain deal of someone rehoming a reptile in this vacation area that I’ve wanted FOR EVER and I’m head over heels at the opportunity and seriously cheap price. Everything included, just have to pick up at a later time tomorrow evening. Husband saw our texts before I even did and he shut it down without any info, didn’t change his mind on it no matter what I explained. He knows I’ve wanted this for so many years and that I’m an avid collector of this animal in statues and trinkets etc. Devastated he won’t change his mind just because he “doesn’t want it” even though he wouldn’t have to do anything for upkeep, just let me buy food and occasionally product. I feel like out of our current spending habits it’s not too much to ask since he buys new shoes and things for his motorcycle very often. I’m conflicted how upset I should be about this cause I know he’s actively stamping out my happiness with this purchase. Yeah, I can see that it’s unnecessary but isn’t that life? Can’t I enjoy it? 😞

Cold sore ?

Hi could anyone tell me if these look like cold sores or just a dribble rash, my babies 6 months currently got 4 teeth coming in :) I’ve never had a cold sore and neither has dad and we don’t let anyone kiss his face so I’m not sure what one would look like

How did you transition for bottle feeds to solids when your toddler didn’t eat enough?

My little one she is 17 months she is having up to 5 bottles a day. We try to feed her solids first and if she would enough we would skip a bottle or give her a smaller bottle.
How did you do as this seems very lengthy and we are not being very successful so far?
Did you use a more cold turkey approach just skipping a bottle or did you cut down the quantity?
Thanks a lot!

Travelling with an infant!

We travel to Canada next week with our 5 month old 😬
I’m bricking it and in my head I’m packing everything but the kitchen sink - what are your travelling must haves or dos and don’ts??
Tia xxx

Toddlers on social media

I see these videos of toddlers on instagram everywhere, this one is 2.5 years old, and she was getting dressed by herself, pressing those light up buttons to show she did the task, eating breakfast with a knife and fork, washing her hands and brushing her teeth independently. I know social media is supposed to look good but how normal is this? My 2 year old does none of those things. I don’t want to compare because they’re still so little but at the same time, am I out of touch with how much she could be doing?