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Tired mum juggling it all

Psychgirl123
Community Member

Hello, I've recently joined to find a safe space to learn and share. I'm a busy mum of three (12, 9 & 3) and my youngest has autism and developmental delay. My husband is a recovering alcoholic who works shift work so I have full compassion for single parent life and anyone dealing with addiction. I am studying psychology with hopes to make it all the way to registration. Between juggling NDIS therapies, the kids school requirements, my uni study and now a part time job working in age care, I feel I may be burning out fasting than a cheap candle. 

I'm not really sure why I am posting tonight, but I felt like reaching out and saying hello to everyone here.  

4 Replies 4

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi, welcome

 

Well, lots to admire about you PG. I've suffered burnout many years ago with my first wife, a stay at home mum that was really lazy, me working 12 hour shifts plus two part time businesses all came crashing down after 11 years... led to a suicide attempt and marriage break up. 

 

Not saying it cant be done but a solid routine, delegating chores for your older kids and hubby you'll give yourself a good chance.

 

Holidays- mandatory to give yourself a break. Do you have a caravan? Tents?. In the caravanning world we have wikicamps a one off payment online around $10 and it gives you all the free camping sites around Oz with details eg pets allowed, close to the road, public toilets, bbq etc. Well worth it. I mention this as its good chill out time and relaxing with kids loving exploring etc.

 

Finally, your part time job - you might have to be diligent in terms of availability. Recognising burn out of fatigue is paramount. Drop a shift now and then or go casual gives you the freedom of balancing your mental health. All the things you mentioned thats happening in your life are all important and necessary but sadly they still need to be prioritised when getting low. You're also caring for hubby on top of that.

 

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/holidays/td-p/275239

 

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/burnout-the-turtle-and-the-hare/td-p/178471

 

Repost anytime and thanks for being here

 

TonyWK

Mark Z.
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi Psychgirl123,

 

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for sharing your story.

Hope you feel a bit relaxed after expressing your feeling. 

 

I really respect that you're taking great responsibilities for your family, but as you said, working and studying at the same time might be too much for you. You may need to review the overall load for you, and adjust it, which means that if it's possible, slow down your uni study and work, to give yourself more breaks. Do you think it's possible to study or work less hours per week?

 

Mark

Thankyou, these ideas are very helpful 

Yes, I can drop a subject and drop a day's work. Just deciding which one is the next step. Can't drop the kids.. haha, so that one needs to stay 🙂