Am I wrong to feel like this?

I love my kids but sometimes I become extremely overstimulated and overwhelmed by them. I work full time with children who have autism and when I get home, I am exhausted but I try my best to give all three of my kids undivided attention all while cooking dinner, cleaning, etc. I utilized that time to engage with them through conversation or have them help me in the kitchen or etc. I feel like by the time everything is done and I can finally lay down I just want peace and quiet, but my 7 year old continues to hang out in my room (she has her own room) until I tell her it’s bedtime. I love that she wants to spend time with me, but am I wrong to feel overwhelmed and expect her to at least try and stay in her room and engage with things to do? I don’t remember hanging out in my parents room at her age for all hours of the night.. I may occasionally walk in and see what they’re doing but I would find things to do in my own room

Show your support

She loves you! She misses you! If you need more time to yourself, get her engaged with cleaning and other tasks you have to do. You can bond over folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher and when she's had her fill, she can run off to play. Over the weekend clean her room together to make sure she can access her toys, has enough space to play, and you're weeding out things that are no longer interesting. If it's a hot mess in there, she'll avoid it because it's overwhelming and your space is cleaner. 🤣

I'm like the opposite of you! I'm an infant teacher working with 8-11 babies a day, always moving. Then I come home, exhausted, with my 5 yr old autistic son. He's high-energy, sensory seeking! But I don't think you're wrong for feeling the way you do, and you shouldn't feel guilty. We're hard-working mamas. Bedtime CAN be 8pm and if she wants to read or do a quiet activity before she falls asleep no big deal. 🤷🏼‍♀️

It's always so interesting hearing the different journeys we are on throughout the day that still yield the same result. I'm home with my kids and feel this exact way. I think this is why they say motherhood is hard! Specifically can relate to having a child hanging out in your bedroom. I view it as them craving connection and also feeling safe. I'd encourage you to maybe find one extra thing (maybe not every night) that makes your 7 year old feel she is getting a bit more of you :) Sending you positivity and energy your way! 🥰

I don’t think it’s bad at all to want a little time for yourself, and yes we always feel guilty after 😭 motherhood is truly the hardest job I’ve ever had but so rewarding. I think since you do feel bad maybe have a dedicated night to cuddles/movie night with you for that touch/closeness/etc but other nights you can implement a “quiet hour” where they don’t need to be asleep but it’s time to settle into your room/bed til bedtime

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