You could say that parenting should have a capital "E" in it for exhausted. That's what I feel most of the time. My parents came to visit last week, and a few times they would mention how they couldn't remember ever doing as much as we do in a day, and how we can stay that busy throughout the day.

I suppose it's the way of parenthood. When the kids were younger, I was exhausted all the time from sleepless nights and the constant routine of diaper changes, feedings and more diaper changes. When the kids got a little older it seemed like a relief to me! Finally an 8 hour night of sleep!! (Sometimes--we still deal with middle of the night stomachaches, bathroom breaks, and "I'm not tired" (at 3 in the morning)). But most nights I log some pretty good sleep. So I feel like things have gotten easier.

But I'm still exhausted. My days are mentally and physically much more exhausting than they were before. I'm now shuttling kids to school and preschool, having a houseful of kids after school, dealing with elementary school dramatics, preschool antics, and trying to log a few minutes to myself each day while working from home.

I'm juggling homework schedules, play schedules, school schedules, and my own personal work schedule in addition to bills, household chores, dogs, husband's schedule and "are you busy, can you do _________ today?" requests from him.

Between his schedule and my schedule we collapse in bed each night as exhausted as we did when the kids were babies. And we're told it's only going to get worse as they get older! Parenting is one of the most exhausting things I've ever experienced in my life. But it's also completely worth it.