Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter Villa: Sharing the Fun Together > The Sunroom: Fun, Games, and Chat
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-12-2005, 01:05 PM   #1
graygables
Community Rank: Explorer
 
graygables's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Near a Tower of Terror at the moment...
Posts: 13,884

Post Thanks / Like
Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

If you count being pregnant, I've been a mom now for 20+ years. My DDs are 19, 17, 9, and almost 7 and they each have had their own issues. DDs 1&3 have Asperger's, and 2&4 are bipolar, so it's been a looooong haul. I've homeschooled the younger ones from the beginning and homeschooled the older ones for a few years. Not homeschooling is not an option for us (I'm a former public school teacher and DH insists on it). As they say, "there's never a dull moment" at my house and I am *desperate* for a dull moment! I don't know if I just have a personality flaw or what, but I've been going through an "I want to quit" phase and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the problems, of the parenting difficulties, kid meltdowns (that are becoming more frequent), etc. It's Monday and I've already sent DDs next door to visit with Grandma for the afternoon.

Does anyone else ever feel "parenting fatigue" or are you blissfully happy as a mom/dad? If you do, what do you do about it?
graygables is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 01:15 PM   #2
disneyprincess
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
disneyprincess's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: too far away from my happy place!
Posts: 2,298

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

OOOhh no I am not blissfully happy! There are many, many days when I say "Hey, this isn't what is signed up for". And many days where I just don't want to be a mom anymore. All and all though I really can't imagine what I would do without the kids. Heck this Friday the baby will finally start school and I spent half the night crying about it that today I am dead tired.

Here's some pixies to get you through the day!
disneyprincess is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 01:31 PM   #3
Luv4My4
Community Rank: Scout
 
Luv4My4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Posts: 4,751

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

Oh no Dawn, I am not a blissfully happy parent. I love my kids and I am happy most of the time but since I am a stay at home Mom too (although I don't homeschool, they would have to commit me) I never get a day off. There is always something that needs to be done or cleaned and there is always a fight that needs to be broken up. I have one teen a girl (15 with ADHD) and three younger girls ages 7, 4 & 1 and somedays I feel like I am losing my mind. Others, (like yesterday) are so nice and it reminds me of why I had so many kids in the first place. I am having alot of problems with my teenager right now and that makes me dread the thought of the the other three all being teenagers at one time. That said, even on days when I want to quit, I can't imagine life without them.
Luv4My4 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 01:43 PM   #4
GoofyMom
Wannabe Snowbird
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
GoofyMom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 34,137

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

I'm blissfully happy as a Mother *now*, but if you had asked me a few years ago, I would have hit you with the parenting fatigued SAHM blues! DH travels a lot for work, and it's not uncommon for him to be away a total of 4 months out of the year (cumulative - not all at the same time thank goodness!) My son has ADHD and that was an incredible challenge when he was young. Thankfully we've developed coping mechanisms and have figured out most of his triggers now, but it was rough going for quite a few years. I can remember shutting myself in my room and having major pity parties.

I'm still working on the Housewife Fatigue factor though! Why am I the only one who cooks and cleans in a house of basically 4 adults?!!!
GoofyMom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 01:44 PM   #5
Taleena
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 393

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone else ever feel "parenting fatigue" or are you blissfully happy as a mom/dad? If you do, what do you do about it?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think there's any such thing as a mom or dad that's blissfully happy 100% of the time. I'm a stay-at-home mom of a 9 year old DD (not home-schooled) and, while most of the time she and I get along pretty well, there are times when I swear I must have been crazy to want to have a kid. What I find helpful is taking a "me break" at least a couple times a week - a time where I am to be left completely alone to de-stress in whatever way I choose (long baths by candlelight are a big thing for me, as is meditating) unless a dire, life-threatening emergency comes up.
Taleena is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 03:00 PM   #6
krisk11
Community Rank: Explorer
 
krisk11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: the Burbs outside of Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 12,093

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

I work full time outside the home and have a 10 yr old dd. I would love to say I am blissfully happy but am afraid of the lightning bolt that would strike me down. I don't have alot of time with dd and would love for it to be good times when we are together but she has developed such an attitude that I just can't stand it. She went out with her dad yesterday afternoon and it was bliss. I just laid on the sofa and watched the US Open all by myself. Dad is going to start taking her running as part of her athletic training and I told him last night he better run the attitude right out of her before I loose my mind. He said he would try. She isn't even a teenager yet and I'm afraid it is going to just get worse. Can you tell I had a bad weekend with her. Maybe this week will be better.
krisk11 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 03:24 PM   #7
muffy'smom
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
muffy'smom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 615

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

Funny you should ask that today, I was just sitting here thinking I'm ready for DD #1 to move out! She's an 18 yo who is jealous of her 9 yo DS, it drives me crazy. If I tell her to do any type of chore around the house she comes back with "Emily doesn't have to", Emily is 9 and can't do some of the things I want Aimee to. We pay her cell phone bill, car insurance, college, and feed her boyfriend and not once has she ever offered to help out. Today I can say I am so far from a "blissfully happy" parent it's not funny. My 22 yo DS was never as difficult as Aimee. Now because I'm mad at her she will take it out on Emily.
muffy'smom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 03:34 PM   #8
iamgrumpy
Community Rank: Legend
 
iamgrumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dreaming of the Future
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 24,867

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

i know i drove my mom crazy when i was growing up but now we have a very strong relationship although i do have to send her an apology for snapping at her earlier but thats a whole different story. I am 23 and live with my folks its way to expensive to move out and finding a job that pays enough is hard with limited schooling. I am working on getting into nursing school so once i get my license to be an RN hopefully that will help spring me into my own place and start being self sufficiant. My mom has issues with my dad so she is glad i am there to destress that area but I always let her do her own thing so if i am stressing her out it isn't a problem.

Dawn your not alone in the SAHM Blues.

Amy
iamgrumpy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 03:36 PM   #9
joyjoy
Community Rank: Trailblazer
 
joyjoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Houston
Posts: 5,162

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

I went through a rough period with my kid a few years ago. I can remember thinking to myself, "If I had to look over my shoulder and see another one that's like 11 or 12, I would KILL myself knowing I had another teenager to deal with." All of you with more than one, God love ya. I couldn't do it.
joyjoy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 08:34 PM   #10
Disneymom62
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
Disneymom62's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tulsa area
Posts: 160

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

I know I don't have it nearly as bad as many parents out there, but as many of you know, one simple word makes my parenting life miserable - TEENAGER.
She's almost 16, and as all of them do, knows EVERYTHING. Grades aren't great but there's a lot worse problems she could have that she doesn't. But, she's either great to get along with, or has a huge attitude problem. And of course, the mood changes like switching on a light. The good times are nice, but during the 'bad' times I think and feel the most awful things about her. Call her all kinds of bad names (in my head) and can't wait for her to get out of the house. Tonight would be one of those times....
Disneymom62 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 09:27 PM   #11
Teresa
Community Rank: Legend
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Indiana , USA
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 26,527

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

Oh, yes, do I have fatigue.
I am 38 years old, and have a 22 yr. old! Wouldn't be bad, except she's a quadraplegic. this means that she demands and needs more care and time than the others. But, she wants to be an adult, and that seems to mean to her "tick Mom and Dad off to the point that they will support my decision to live with my BF, even if they really don't like him, just in the hopes that it'll stop the fighting" We think that she believes to be independant (or as much as she can, given her condition) means to be completely alienated from her family. She's getting there.
Oh, and did I mention that she owns a shop, but is relatively uninterested in running it, so DH runs it?
It will be closing at the end of the year, yet another thing started but dropped when it ceased to fun.

The others - a 28 yr. old Step daughter with a couple of records for indecent exposure, and something that strongly hints to being a "lady of the evening" that only calls when she wants money for bail, lawyers, or court fees. Also had a baby and gave it up for adoption (an arrangement that has worked out fine, but still caused stress)

a 22 yr. old Step-Son, married at 18, 2 kids in 2 years, calls when he wants money or gifts.

All 3 jealous of the last 2 - in our older age, DH and I have more time and money and a much more stable home than any of the first 3 got to be in.

Last 2 - spoiled little kids, get most everything they want. Sometimes is okay, sometimes it goes to their heads. I drive them a total of 3 hours a day to a private school, where the 5th grade field trip is a 2 week trip to France!

How do I handle it?
I have a lunch date with 2 friends every week. the day varies depending on each lady's schedule, but we ALWAYS go to lunch.
We take turns picking the restaraunt and picking up the tab - that way, the person paying has control over the bill a bit. We talk about our families, other friends, etc. and just be there for each other.

Also, we laugh a lot. We find humor in things that are obscure. And, I try not to think that after 22 yrs. of motherhood, I have at least another 11 to go, before I can be close to being done. (youngest DD just started 2nd grade)
Teresa is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2005, 11:44 AM   #12
kadterp
Community Rank: Explorer
 
kadterp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 7,150

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

Oh please! Im stressed out every day! Im totally stressed when the kids are sick and throwing up! Oh ewww!! Some days are better than others, but I just hang in there and plan a trip to Disney World hahahahaha and when I cant do that, I just try to get away for the day or hour to myself! When that doesnt work, I just go in my own bedroom! Hang in there!!
kadterp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 10:21 PM   #13
2princessmom
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4,595

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

Well I have only been a mom for 5 years now. But there are days when DD's are pushing every button and talking back etc. and DH is not much help and many times exhibits the same behaviors which make it very hard to DD's to understand why something is wrong.

DH also works such long terrible hours that I am usually on my own most of the week. So I usually need at least one or two nights that are all my own and I can take a bath. I also try to have a ladies night once a month.
2princessmom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2005, 11:34 PM   #14
SuperKate
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
SuperKate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 2 hour plane ride from the Magic
Posts: 2,761

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

I know we gave my mom some problems...my sister WAY more than me (Mom and sister will both admit to that) but we are best friends now.

This actually is kind of scaring me. The only thing I have ever known that I wanted to be is a mom, but I'm so afraid of all of these kinds of stories.

for all you moms' out there! What would we do without you?
SuperKate is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2005, 04:36 AM   #15
Happymommy
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Happymommy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,784

Post Thanks / Like
Re: Parenting fatigue...anyone ever experience such a thing?

I don't know if I have parenting fatigue, but somedays are so hard. Aidan's gotten much easier, but when he was 3 he was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder, which we were told was related to autism and aspergers. And, even for that first year we weren't sure if it wasn't mild autism or was it aspergers-- doctors kept going back and forth. I was devastated, Joe was in denial, until he started experiencing some things first hand. Everything was a struggle with Aidan-- nothing came easy. Feeding himself with a spoon, potty training was a nightmare- then my sister in law kept going on about how he was too old not to be potty trained (I think he was 3.5 before fully potty trained-- which isn't unusual for SI), but according to her, I'm the worst parent, so... He never played on park equipment, he doesn't eat at all-- eats like 5 foods. Anyway, he has gotten much easier, physical therapy has done wonders, and he is doing great in school now. But, that first year and a half--I felt like I was the worst mother, because I felt like I never had enough patience. That one poem that was posted on here once (about special needs)-- what was it, about going to Amsterdam-- do you know what I'm talking about Dawn-- that really got me through the bad days (but I lost the link to it last year). Things are better now, and he's doing well. But, my house is always a mess-- and there's toys everywhere-- and I feel like I'm in a cluttered mess-- and I get so overwhelmed with everything, that I don't even know where to start. And, I'd be lying if throwing in the towel never came to my mind. But, then I look at them, and realize they're the best things that ever happened to me, and I don't know what I'd do without them. Hang in there, Dawn!!!
Happymommy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:49 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger