Defeated mom
The story
My daughter is just over a year and I am a SAHM right now. She has been having a really rough go lately and just wants to be clung to me 24/7. I love her and the cuddles but I can’t get anything done when I try to leave the room and she screams and cries. When she is in the same room she’s trying to climb my legs or stand in front of me so it makes cooking and cleaning a challenge. I sometimes put her in the carrier and wear her on my front but she is heavy so I can’t do it for too long. I know this will pass and she is probably just getting sick or teething again but I am just so worn out. When I try to express this to my partner he sees it as oh I’m home all day it can’t be that bad. I understand he works long hours but that just makes me feel undervalued and invalidated

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Points of view
ya gotta be kidding me. the way your partner’s acting is like straight-up dismissive. being a stay-at-home mom ain't just lounging. it’s 24/7 chaos of “emotionally intensive labor,” that's what psychologists call it. can't really believe he's tossing around that “you're home all day, how bad can it be?" line, seriously?
juggling a clingy kiddo going through “separation anxiety” is no joke. studies show it’s one of the most demanding phases for caregivers. it would do him some good to pick up a parenting book or maybe have a real chat about dividing responsibilities. teamwork makes the dream work, right? 😉
hey, i get that you're feeling overwhelmed, but honestly, it sounds a little like you're focused only on the tough parts without seeing the whole picture. being glued to your kid 24/7 is hard, for sure, but comparing it to your partner's long work hours seems a bit off to me. 😕
back when i was home with my kid, i found breaking up the day into chunks helped. maybe give that a shot instead of wearing the overwhelmed hat all the time? plus, some dudes just don’t get it when they’re not the ones dealing with it firsthand. a good sit-down convo might do wonders. hope things get better soon!
I empathize with your predicament, but I can't help but feel there might be a slight misunderstanding in how you're viewing the situation. Being a stay-at-home parent is undeniably challenging, yet it seems crucial to recognize the demands your partner faces as well. Is there a reason you're hesitant to consider alternative methods for handling your daughter's attachment, like gradually setting her down for short intervals?
When my child was going through a similar phase, I found that incorporating small, structured times where they had independent play really helped. It’s important to remember that these phases do pass; perhaps exploring this avenue might not only ease your load but also provide a new perspective on managing the stress. Have you discussed these specific issues directly with your partner? Communication can often bring unforeseen solutions to light.
I totally get where you're coming from, and honestly, it sounds like you're dealing with a lot—it's like your household has turned into toddler chaos overload. Hang in there. 🤯 It's rough when your kid is going through "clinger mode" and only wants mom 24/7; that's like a next-level emotional labor you've got on your plate. Maybe your partner needs a reality check because being a stay-at-home mom is no walk in the park; you're constantly managing "attachment phases" and it's legit draining.
Not to sound too harsh, but your partner seems a bit out of touch, assuming your days are easy just because you're home. "Work of any kind, according to research, carries its own unique stressors," as many parenting studies have pointed out, so maybe they could use some enlightenment on that front. Maybe you need to throw in some stats or a couple of eye-openers from parenting books to get him to wake up and smell the metaphorical coffee. 👶☕ Anyway, hope things ease up for you soon; maybe teething gels or something could help?
i get that you're overwhelmed, but gotta say, it seems a bit like you're not seeing the whole picture here. being a stay-at-home parent comes with a unique set of challenges, sure, but to suggest it's harder than your partner's long hours seems a bit off. the concept of "work-life balance" often differs greatly from one household to another; maybe more communication could help bridge the gap?
reading between the lines of all those studies on parenting, it's crucial to be mindful that both partners often feel undervalued in their roles. According to some experts, validating each other's experiences should be the starting point for any productive discussion. maybe try approaching your partner with that mindset; it's not all about whose role is more challenging, but how you both perceive and support each other's day-to-day struggles. hope things get a bit easier soon, though.
i totally get where you're coming from, and you're right, dealing with a clingy kid is no walk in the park. it's a tough gig being a stay-at-home parent, feeling like you're being pulled in every direction. you need more backup from your partner, no doubt about it; i've been there, and it's rough when they don't see how burned out you are.
when i was juggling my little one's attachment phase, it was like trying to carry a boulder all day. you deserve some recognition for all the hard work you're putting in. maybe let him walk a day in your shoes—might give him a wake-up call. have you tried talking it out with him? things sometimes click better when they get the front-row experience. hang in there, you're doing great work even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes. 👊
i totally empathize with your current situation and completely agree with how daunting it can be. the demands of a stay-at-home mom are quite immense, especially when your little one wants all your attention!!! those moments when they cling to you 24/7 can be exhausting; I've been there myself and it's tough. 😩
your partner might not understand the intricacies of child care and the emotional labor involved, which can sometimes lead to feelings of being undervalued. the lack of understanding can be frustrating!!! when my child was going through similar phases, I found myself in a constant state of mental fatigue. it’s essential to communicate openly with your partner about these challenges. have you considered finding small windows of time for self-care, or maybe seeking a little support from family or friends? it might give you a much-needed breather and help balance things a bit!!! 😊
man, i get you. sounds like you're caught in a never-ending loop of chaos and frustration. dealing with a clingy toddler who just won't let go is like carrying an emotional boulder all day. your partner needs to understand that; it's not just sitting at home and chilling all day.
i've been in your shoes and let me tell you, it becomes a full-time job in itself. sometimes your partner's lack of appreciation can make you feel invisible, and that's just not fair. "emotional labor" is real and exhausting, and it's about time people see it for what it is.
it's unbelievable how some partners think they're the only ones doing hard work just because they clock physical hours outside. might be worth having a serious chat with him; explain your perspective on how draining your responsibilities can get. everyone deserves acknowledgment and support, especially in a partnership. hope you find a way to get some balance.
i totally get that you're feeling overwhelmed, but i must gently challenge your perspective here. being a stay-at-home parent is undeniably a challenging and dynamic role, but it's crucial to acknowledge that your partner's long working hours also bring stress and exhaustion. "balancing work and family life" is a common struggle many face, and communication is key in navigating these waters.
from my own experience, when my partner and i faced similar frustrations, we found that setting aside time for open discussions really improved our understanding of each other's struggles. it’s important to recognize that everyone needs a bit of support and empathy; maybe try expressing your feelings in a way that invites him to share his challenges too.
times like these can be truly testing, but with a little mutual understanding and teamwork, you can both find a rhythm that works. perhaps finding small moments for self-care or short breaks could help ease some of the stress. hang in there! 😊
i hear you, and I mostly agree with your feelings of being overwhelmed and undervalued as a stay-at-home mom. it sounds like your partner might be overlooking the emotional labor involved in parenting, and that's not fair. your situation sounds really tough, balancing your kid's needs with your own; I've had similar moments and they can really wear you down.
your little one's clinginess is exhausting, no doubt. when my kid was the same age, it felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders. you deserve recognition for all that you manage daily, even if it seems invisible to others. maybe try finding little moments of respite wherever you can. hoping for some understanding from your partner is totally valid—he needs to step up his game. hang in there! 😞
ugh, i feel you, seriously; dealing with a clingy kid all day is no joke!!! you're right to feel overwhelmed, especially when your partner acts like being a stay-at-home parent is a walk in the park. been in your shoes, and man, it's rough. those who aren't in the trenches sometimes don't get how demanding it really is!!! 😤
"emotional exhaustion" is real, and you're living it every day. people don't realize that you're on the clock 24/7. once my little one went through their clingy phase, i felt like i was in survival mode. maybe let your partner know that this isn't just hanging out at home—it's a full-time gig with no off switch. you're doing your best, even when it feels like you're not; keep pushing through, and hopefully, your partner comes around to see things your way.
hey, i see where you're coming from, but i gotta say, maybe there's more to the story. being home all day with your kid is hard, no doubt, but stressing about it doesn't help; maybe look for ways to switch things up a bit? 💡
could it be that both you and your partner are struggling to understand each other's loads? "communication is key," and finding ways to work together might ease some of the tension. when my partner and i faced similar challenges, talking it out made a world of difference. things won't always be this tough—it’s just a phase. try to keep your head up, and explore little ways to lighten your load at home.
hey, i hear you, but it seems like you're maybe not seeing the whole picture. yes, being a stay-at-home parent is tough, but your partner probably also has his own stresses from work that he's juggling; doesn't mean he doesn't value what you do, maybe he's just exhausted too. 🤔
when i was in a similar situation, i thought my partner didn't get it, and that caused way more stress than needed. honest conversations with him helped both see each other's challenges better!!! it ain't easy, but try to give him a bit of slack, and maybe he'll start to see things from your side too?... life gets busy for everyone, and keeping those lines of communication open can make everything less of a headache. hang in there!!!
i totally get where you're coming from, and yeah, it's tough when the little one is super clingy. you're doing an amazing job balancing everything, even when it feels like chaos!!! 😅 sometimes partners might forget how intense it can be at home, especially with a toddler in the "attachment phase."
it's important to remember that “this too shall pass” when you're feeling overwhelmed. try reaching out and sharing your day with your partner. they'll get better insight into what you're dealing with; it can really help open up some understanding. hang in there, you're doing great, and things will get easier!!! 💪
i understand your frustration completely, and being in a scenario where your child clings to you incessantly is extremely exhausting. you’re right to express that it's more taxing than some might think; it seems your partner doesn't quite grasp the intricacies of the emotional labor involved in parenting.
i wonder if this could be a phase related to developmental milestones that your daughter is going through? while it might feel never-ending, have you considered trying to gently encourage small periods of independent play to ease the burden? it's not easy, but perhaps introducing structured activities could offer some relief. how are you managing your own well-being amidst all this chaos? it’s crucial to find ways to rejuvenate yourself even in small ways, to keep your sanity intact. 😟