M.C.
Hi N.,
Wow, you have your hands full! Don't be too hard on yourself. All moms go through the hard times like you are going through now. Is there somebody maybe a neighbor or a family member on your husbands side that could come over once a week, or more often to give you some time to have by yourself? It sounds like you need some time of your own to clear your thoughts and breathe.
I don't have a "set" schedule, but I try to keep close to the same routine every day. I do laundry as often as I can, and I try to put it away as I do each load so I don't end up with 10 loads to fold or hang. I also do my kids laundry seperate so I don't have to spend the time seperating it out.
Sometimes I feel like my day goes so much easier and smoother if I wake up earlier than the kids and get showered and ready before they wake up. That doesn't always happen though, so it's just day by day for me.
Another thing that helps, and I try not to use it too often, but I let my son watch 1 hour of TV in the morning while I am fixing breakfast, putting away dishes, etc. That way I don't have too many hands all at once in the kitchen.
Do your kids like to help you clean? Maybe you could give them special "chores" that keep them busy so you can actually get something done. My son likes to help fold washclothes when I do laundry, and loves to spray the table and wipe it off. Maybe you could get them spray bottles and let them go at the walls or slider door, something like that?
I hope some of this helps, and if you ever would like to get out and take your kids to the park, I also live in Aurora, for only a few more weeks, but maybe we could go play one day. Our kids are close in age!
Good luck N., hang in there!
M.