How do single parents do it?

[AngryAmish]

The lovely Mrs. AA is off in California shooting some ads. I am solely responsible for looking after the two tots (ages 1 and 4). I'm exhausted. The nanny has them during the day but I got them from the rest of the time.

I'm tired and cranky.

And if the kids got sick...shudder.

[Sienna86]

1. I'm exhausted all the time

Still better than a bad marriage. It gets better for a while as the kids get older, but then they become teenagers and that keeps you up late.

[irisblue]

2. nap time

since the nanny has them during the day, ask her to get them down for an early nap, then when they get up, a trip to the playground to wear them out earlier in the evening. you can also try putting them in carseats, play soft music and drive around till they fall asleep, for sure the 4 year old will remember those trips.

[annabanana]

7. the nanny?

I would have KILLED for a nanny when the boys were young....

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Because I don't have a choice.

Yeah, it's rough time.

[Ptah]

6. .

[marzipanni]

4. You, and they, are off routine

That makes it more difficult.

I agree with irisblue, the nanny should provide them with enough exercise (playing outside, or dancing around in the house if the weather isn't good) that they fall asleep when you read them a bedtime story.
Let them wind down after dinner, and don't let them press your buttons or they'll feel the power and try to discover the limits(esp. the 4-year-old)

[AngryAmish]

5. Kids have been fine actually

Normal meal and bedtimes. Just doing it all is taking a toll on me. Poor, woeful me... I'll be fine actually and Mrs. AA is back on Saturday.

[LiberalEsto]

8. My mother-in-law, who raised 8 kids, used to say:

"Why do we give THEM the vitamins? "

[RedCloud]

9. I thought this was a sex thread.

So IBTL!

[blueamy66]

10. My 2 nieces, who each have 3 little ones, do it with alot of love,

family/friend help and faith.

My youngest niece has a 4 yr old, a 2 yr old and a 6 month old....ALL BOYS! She prays alot.

It comes down to....you gotta do what you gotta do.

I laugh at my co-worker, who has one 6 month old, is married, and has had either his parents or his wife's parents there since the baby was born. The Grandparents get up with the kid, make all the meals, clean the house.....he's got a yard guy and a pool guy. And he is constantly bitching about how tired he is. I laugh at him and pull out pics of my 6 great nieces and nephews.