Are You Exhausted by Dinnertime?

I've noticed that by 6pm I am no longer looking at the time, but counting down the time left until it is bedtime...is it 8pm yet?

Oh--the joy.
I threaten to get a PT job from 4-8 every night because it's when EVERYONE gets crabby and I get the joy of making dinner....and cleaning up....and folding another load of laundry....and wiping pee OFF of the toilet AGAIN....and....getting the toothpaste globs out of the sink.....eh....never mind! :)
So...yeah. And I have O.. Who is 9. Who had 4 friends over to swim today....sigh/

I think that is rather universal and you don't need small kids to appreciate it. I get home from work, and I sit at a desk all day, dead as heck.

I think it is just life when you are all in.

By 7 pm I am DONE--Nothing productive happens after 7, so I don't even try. (I have 6 and 8 year old boys)

by dinner time you have probably been "on duty" for 12 hours. so you are surely tired.

If you are lucky enough to get them to nap at the same time.. make sure you take a break too while they nap.. when my kids were that young -- somedays I cleaned up the house druing naptime.. somedays I relaxed. everyone needs a break.

Sometimes I finish my dinner faster than everyone else and doze at the table waiting for the rest of them. Honestly.

I am a SAHM also to a almost 3yr old and 4yr old, im exhausted ALL day. i tend to stay up late so i can actually get some me time then the kids get me up at 630-7. by dinner i dont even want to cook just want to sit there and do nothing lol i think all SAHM's probably stay exhausted... dont you wish you had just a drop of the energy the kids have??

Um yah, what Mom isn't? SAHM or working Mom.

I have a 5 and 9 year old.
I was just scrubbing the floors on my hands and knees.... and soon have to prep dinner and figure that out.
That is the bane of my day.
Ugh.

Me? Well I am a coffee drinker!
I have about 3 cups in the morning, and later. But never in the later afternoon otherwise I can't sleep.

Ya gotta unwind before evening.
Its funny that you said you get "grumpier" as dinnertime approaches. I say that BECAUSE- My Husband, always tells me that I am a crabby grump, in the evening as I am making dinner and cleaning up after.
DUH.
So I tell him YES I am. Why do you think?
Go figure.
Bawahahahahaha!

No, it is not just being home all day with kids.

But one day, both your kids will be in elementary school.
And still... you will be busy.
I know, I am a SAHM and even if my kids are in school now.... it is STILL BUSY and it is not ever.... a nothing day. It is still... very busy and I am still powering through things as fast as I can.... then before you know it, it is time to pick up the kids... then the afternoon routine/homework/more cleaning/cooking/cleaning up/getting the nighttime & bedtime routine, in place.
Then, maybe you can "relax." Unless Hubby has other ideas.
Ya know?

On and on and on and on.
Yep.
Ditto.

Yes. I've been known to fall asleep while putting my daughter to sleep.

Yep. Pretty normal. Dealing with small children is exhausting. So is dealing with the basic ins and outs of life. Dealing with a boss and coworkers is exhausting, too. It's all just very tiring. I wish I had something witty to tell you, but my brain is fried right now (it's 9:45pm), so I'm heading off to brainless TV land, then bed.

You are soooooo not alone. I remember those days somewhat clearly. But don't worry, they get older and easier (I guess I'm in that honey phase where they don't need my constant attention, yet they still think I'm pretty cool - ages 8 and 10!) Hang in there. Now that it's summer, I'm usually just bored by dinnertime, but not really tired :)

I didn't even make dinner last night. By the time I got into the kitchen to make it, I was too tired. I started it, but then I just quit. I thought it would be silly to push myself that hard, but I had done tons yesterday and was clearly "done."

Me, too - I get a wicked case of the 5pm sleepys.
But then I'm up at 5am everyday.
Nap when the kids nap.
A little siesta for everyone will make a world of difference.
If they won't settle down, bring a sitter in once in awhile to watch them while you catch up on sleep or take a long bubble bath.
You take care of everyone else and we tend to forget to take care of ourselves.

I guess this is why they say nap when your kids nap :) Honestly though, even if your 4 YO isn't taking naps, lay down with him for books or quiet time so you can get some rest, even if it's not sleep. If you're worried about chores that won't get done, enlist help from Dad. You've gotta find a way or you'll only get more tired and it won't benefit anyone. Drink lots of water!!! And if needed, a little more cafeine :) xo

Yes I do, especially with a 3 year old and 4 month old twins. It wasn't so bad when we had just one, but the addition of two more has made me more exhausted than ever. If I get a nap, I'm usually okay, but with out a nap, I'm tired and can barely move after dinner. I talked to my husband about it, mainly because he was concerned that I didn't initiate sex as much as I use to. By the end of my day, I just wasn't in the mood, I just wanted to sleep. He took over cleaning up after dinner and letting me veg out on the couch. It's a small jesture, but it really does help. We eat after the twins go to bed, so I only have my 3 year old to entertain and we watch TV together after dinner, and then when my husband is done cleaning up, he plays with her to give me more down time. But he can definitely tell if I had a nap during the day or not, just by what's for dinner.

Hi, Mama:

Do you take a nap after lunch with your children?
If you don't, try it, it might help.
Good luck.
D.

I usually have a cup of coffee around 3ish and that helps me get through the evening.