(((((vetswife))))) I don’t have any answers for you, and I understand how you feel. But just because you need a break from your kids every now and then to recharge does not make you a bad mother, it makes you human. And I’ll be that you’re getting on their nerves as well which might be why they’re acting up.

Do tap into the resources that are (should be) out there for you. Social services in this area offers a service that brings a person in or pays for a few hours a week of free time for mom. Talk to the Red Cross, if they don’t offer a service for you they’ll know who can help you. Reach out to a church or Goodwill, St. Vinny’s or a similar private social services. Look at the Y, are there programs there for the kids? They can learn to swim while you take a long hot bath. Check into subsidized child care. You don’t have to put your kids in there every day all day, but once or twice a week just to get things back under the crisis level. You’re getting burnt out and that’s not helping anyone.