Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed Sometimes

[fureverywhere]

You know when you've been a whirling dervish all day and there are still so very many things you didn't get to? I mean I try to write my list and cross off stuff so I know I had a productive day. But it's never ending...I suppose it's things I could relegate to the kids too. I should add a list to the fridge of things they can do to help.

But then there are silly things that I need to do myself. The dogs for instance. If anyone else tries to feed them they won't eat it. Even if it's been made exactly the way I make it they both leave it. If a cat yacks everyone has selective vision...unless the dog cleans it up first. Oy and that I have to look for a second paying job now too

 

[chic]

Fur, you desperately need some "me" time and need to set priorities in your life. The dogs will eat if they get good and hungry. You could benefit from delegating some authority. Caregiving can be exhausting and one is only able to do it successfully for extended periods when helped by others.

Hugs. Hope you'll be okay.

 

[Ruthanne]

Hey Leslie, maybe you can lock yourself in the bathroom and light some candles and put some soothing music on, add bubbles and very warm water and soak for a good hour and try and let go of some of that tension. The house will run itself for awhile. You need a good break from it all. As if you didn't know...

 

[fureverywhere]

Thanks to both of you. Actually work is good for me. I can read behind the register and pet pups all day. The bosses are all happy I know what I'm doing and supervision is minimal. Compared to the micro-management at the last place this is a breezenthego:

 

[Aunt Bea]

I'm a big fan of lists!

Prioritize the 5 most important tasks on your list, do the most unpleasant ones first, delegate the rest or leave them for tomorrow. Getting the unpleasant tasks out of the way first saves you worrying and thinking about them all day long. Save the enjoyable tasks for when you are tired and need a break.

Find some small ways to celebrate your progress each day and most of all don't sweat the small stuff!

Good luck!

 

[Butterfly]

One thing I DID learn back when I had a houseful is that as long as you keep doing everything for everyone no one else will do anything. So, I'd assign a job and then if the other person didn't do it, it just didn't get done. It's hard to resist the urge to step in and just say "I guess I'll have to do it myself, then," but you have to grit your teeth and just not do it. A couple of times of saying "sorry there's no dinner tonight, but Suzie and Sally didn't do the dishes from last night and I can't cook on top of an old mess" was effective for me. Not that I always got great cooperation, but it helped.

 

[chic]

One thing I DID learn back when I had a houseful is that as long as you keep doing everything for everyone no one else will do anything. So, I'd assign a job and then if the other person didn't do it, it just didn't get done. It's hard to resist the urge to step in and just say "I guess I'll have to do it myself, then," but you have to grit your teeth and just not do it. A couple of times of saying "sorry there's no dinner tonight, but Suzie and Sally didn't do the dishes from last night and I can't cook on top of an old mess" was effective for me. Not that I always got great cooperation, but it helped.

This is so true. You have to set some limits, otherwise you just get swamped. It's amazing how others begin to help when things don't get done any other way.