‘Relax, It’s Just an Empty Toilet Roll’: Overwhelmed Mom Says, “I’m Not Crazy, Just Tired of Picking Up Your Crap”

I can’t relax, because to me it’s so much more.

I’m the person in this house that writes the lists, knows the dates of the dress-up days and all the birthdays. I know the toys that the kids and their friends are into and always know the times and locations of the parties.

I’m the person who books the dentist, remembers the load of washing that needs to be hung out and updates the calendar.

I know when the kids are due for new shoes, when the pants are getting a little short, and I know which socks to buy so we don’t have to deal with the itchy bits that no one likes.

I make sure the bags are packed (including snacks), the library books are returned, and I refill the drink bottles to make sure the water is fresh.

I carry the mental load for this family, I complete the invisible and thankless tasks that no one wants to do, the small things that keep us ticking along.

Please forgive me if I seem ‘crazy’, highly strung or upset when you fail to complete a simple task like replacing the toilet roll, putting the dish in the dishwasher or for leaving dirty clothes on the floor.