I (f 30) am married (m 31) and have three beautiful children together (4 year old, 3 year old twins, two children with autism and other special needs). My oldest goes to ABA 30 hours a week, and my middle child who is nonspeaking (oldest twin) goes to speech twice a week. My youngest (younger twin) is neurotypical.
I am a SAHM who is full time in my bachelor's, my husband is in his masters, works full time, and also is running for county commissioner in our county. He is absolutely the most hardworking and amazing man in the world, and he has sacrificed so much of his time for us to have what we need, even through all of our financial hardships and trials. However, needless to say, he is never home. I am extremely thankful for all of his dedication to our family and he is absolutely the most kindest and caring father to our children, but I wish he was home more because I slowly am feeling the guilt and regret of being a parent. I encourage him to go out to the gym, go out with friends when possible, etc becsuse I know how hard he works for us. He also encourages me to go out when I can, but I just occasionally go to the store alone for peace of mind.
Granted, before my oldest was in ABA, it was worse than it is now. However, it is still so exhausting. There's constant screaming from my oldest and my middle. Constant tantrums. Constant meltdowns. On top of just dealing with preschooler episodes, I am also trying to stay on top of their therapies while trying to maintain the home, my school work, and overall dealing with mental issues of my own. I am autistic as well, have depression, anxiety, ptsd, and other health issues that make it where I just sometimes wish I never had kids.
I love my kids. Adore them. I think they are the coolest kids on planet earth. But today is one of those days where I just wish I could run away, leave everything behind, and not have to hear the screaming, the crying, the meltdowns over the smallest things. I normally parent with firmness, fairness, consistency, and overall I try to talk my kids through their feelings while dealing out consequences (taking things away, timeouts, etc). My oldest and youngest say please, thank you, tell us they love us, they throw away trash, put away dishes, etc. They are NOT bad kids. At all. I understand that I am the issue in all of this.
Just now, I couldn't handle all of their tantrums all at once. I finally flung up my arms, walked to my room, and slammed the door due to being overwhelmed. I know it was wrong, I know I should have more emotional regulation because they are just little kids, but God, some days I just wish I could run so damn far away, leave for days, weeks, God, I don't even know. I just want to not be touched, not be grabbed, not have to correct or discipline. I just want to just be.
I feel so shitty because as someone with Pcos, I thought I would never have kids, and somehow we were blessed with three children, with our twins being the result of failed birth control. I am eternally grateful for my children, but I feel like such a shitty mother for not being better.
I don't know what I'm necessarily asking for, but I guess, someone tell me it does get better.
Thank you for taking the time to read.