My tank is empty. I've run out of steam. I'm running on empty. I need advice.

During the school year I get enough space in the day to make it through. But we're 6 weeks into summer and I need a break .. and I'm not sure a night off would do the trick. I'd like a week off but to top it off my in-laws arrive tomorrow for a visit.

How do you or how can I emotionally re-charge myself when as a mother I don't get time off and there is just so much to get done in a day?

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Take a vacation. Seriously.

Imagine how everyone would get along if you weren't there - then live like that. If they end up having ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner, oh well. It won't kill them.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I am so sorry you are at that spot in your life right now. I am just coming out of a very overwhelming and unhappy few weeks. Infact I talked to my husband seriously about seperating. I just could not recharge, everything was to much for me. Finally after talking to my Mom I realized I can only change or do what I can do. I made a list both in my head and on paper of what I needed or wanted to get done or was causing me stress. I just started to do small and productive things to take control back. I hope everything will start to fall into place. Not always the best advice but know so many Mom's feel this way at some points in their lives. keep telling yourself your doing a good job and try to focus on you a bit more. Good luck!

Every day, do one small thing for yourself that brings you pleasure. Take 10 minutes and read. Take a bubble bath. Stare out a window. Whatever it is, do it!

This is exactly how I feel. I keep having fantasies of running away .. not that I actually would. I just feel overwhelmed. We've had a great but busy summer. We've either been at other people's houses or cottages or had people here and with dh away so much ... and me still trying to put in my work hours before the kids get up and after they've gone to bed, I've just given and used up everything I have. Now dh is away on business this week and my in-laws are coming and I just want to move into a monastery for a week or go on a long 5 day ocean kayaking journey by myself.

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When do your kids Go back to school?

Thankfully mine go back in TWO WEEKS!

I Can't do this Much Longer either, and Now I Am Finally holding on to the notion that this Will pass and I Will get everything Back in order once they are on the bus at 8:40 on August 25th.
I Like them Being Here , But It just is too much Day in and Out with no down Time.
We actually didn't Go on a Vacation, which we usually do this Week every Summer. Cause that would've stressed me out more with the packing , unpacking Spending Money and Planning.
It has been a Bad summer around Here.
Just very Stressful and disorganized.

Do the best that you can. Try to keep your schedule realistic. I you put too much on yourself you are just going to stress yourself out more.

I totally understand how you feel. I want and need a break but it is not happening anytime soon. So, I have started laying down when the kiddos do and just doing what I can. And, its either enough or its not. You know? You are just one person

Hang in there it will get better

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After having my son (he is now 6 months old) I was feeling very overwhelmed. I also have a 3 year old. My new little guy was very fussy and didn't sleep well. Colic we thought but later found out he had reflux. Needless to say I was very overwhelmed. I had feelings of running away. I think I just needed a break. I still have those feelings occasionally but things have gotten much better. I found that I was trying to do everything myself and wasn't letting people help me.

If you never take time for yourself it just builds up and then you feel like you need a week off. Try to let others help you when possible. And, like someone mentioned above do something for yourself everyday. It can be small. Every night after dinner my husband takes a walk with my daughter and son and I get 15 minutes to myself.

Just know that things will get better.

Oh my goodness, if I had to host my in laws while dh was not even in town I would be stressed out too, particularly if I hadn't been away from my children for 6 weeks straight! Are your inlaws the type of grandparents that will hang out with the kids while you go out for a while or take them somewhere without you? Mine aren't but if yours are, take advantage of the time they are here and let them spend some quality time with your kids. If not, just do what you can to make it through the week and then check out when your dh gets back. I like cookie's suggestion of just acting like you are on vacation, even if you aren't. Your children are old enough to make themselves a sandwich and watch tv for the afternoon so you can hide in your room with a book. It won't kill 'em.

Girl you are singing to the choir here! I know EXACTLY how you feel. Dh deploys a LOT and there are times I can't get a second to breathe. I try and make the boys' days full of fun and activities and then before I know it, it's bed time for them and I am crashed out on the couch seconds later. I don't get any down time before I am waking up the next morning to do it all again. I too have dreamt of just taking off and walking away....but like you it's a fantasy more than a plan!!!

I know exactly how you're feeling and I agree with someone when they said you need (absolutely NEED) to make time for yourself EVERY day. Even if that means hiring a sitter. Don't save that time just for bed time. Schedule it in and decompress. Have some tea/coffee whatever you can manage while you're in that moment. Enjoy the silence and I can guarantee you your batteries willl be recharged.

((HUGS))