You love your kids – they’re very special and have some delightful characteristics. But lately they're getting on your nerves more and more. It’s the constant fighting that’s wearing you down. And the sense of entitlement, coupled with a lack of gratitude. Sammy got pyjamas on Tuesday, as he needed them, but Noah is demanding that he gets some too. He’s all good for PJs but you’re going to buy him some more just to keep the peace.
Getting out the door in the morning is a real grind. The kids drag their feet when you ask them to get ready for school. Getting them to bed is just the same – they ramp it up every night and all you can see is your quiet evening disappearing as you wrangle them into bed for the tenth time.
You love going to work, but half your colleagues don’t have kids themselves and don’t really understand your life. If you turn up late you get ‘the look’, and when you go home you feel you need to constantly stay in touch with work emails.
You feel pulled in every direction. And then there’s your parents quietly suggesting you are doing too much. Oh, and reminding you that they wish they saw more of the grandkids.