I have a 4 year old spoiled brat and a sweet but naughty 19 month old. Both home all day since its summer. I am exhausted! Fasting is already making it difficult to be high energy all day but it’s really just the kids driving me insane. I know many moms are in the same boat so how do you keep the house tidy, Iftar n dinner ready, and kids entertained all day while fasting?
Re: Exhausted!
Its tough. Not just in Ramzan but all year around, and you are definitely not alone, mine are beyond spoiled brats especially by me 
Do what you can; I only clean/tidy up after they are in bed…unless the baby smears the banana on the floor 
Nowadays since its summer holidays and days are super long, they aren’t in bed till 9pm. So some nights I am mopping the floor at 1 am
I start my cooking - (lunch/dinner) right after breakfast, so by noon I am finished with the kitchen chores, and get on to laundry and then obviously setting up meals/snacks/dishes/cleaning up etc. I know Its a never ending list; but someones gotta do it 
As for keeping them entertained, when they get super rowdy I take them out to the park/mcDonald’s play place (I prefer mcDonald’s) since its closed off and my 2 year old can’t run away on the road; and I can sit down for a while without having to constantly chase and also having to keep an eye on my other older ones. Super frustrating.
I have them do an activity each day; like for instance puzzles/colouring pages/math sheets/play-doh and disney movies of course are a life saver (for a straight hour or so)
Couple days ago I made my 6 and a 5 year old wrap up bunch of presents and write out Happy Birthday to -----> From on greeting cards for upcoming birthdays, That kept them busy for a good while.
I try to get them to help me out; like they both like to broom and clean up after their messes, that also keeps them occupied, picking up toys and keeping their books in order.
We also sit down for a few minutes together to sort out and fold laundry to put away; by the time laundry is done, day has almost gone.
But yes I hear you Its very tough; my biggest issue is sleep deprivation (I crave to sleep but I can’t) I am that exhausted most of the time.
I’m actually seriously thinking about getting a baby-sitter for 2-3x a week that can take them out for bike rides or keeps them busy in the backyard while I get my stuff done inside
Re: Exhausted!
Pkgrl, i have found cooking few meals on sunday the most helpful thing ever. My almost-four-year old goes to daycare but i pack his lunch and make the breakfast before heading out for work. I stay up after sahri and am out of the house by 6:30am. Try the cooking on sundays...its sounds a lot but really isn't.
Re: Exhausted!
Cook ahead and plan your meals! I feel the most time consuming thing is meal planning and cooking. Because its not just the cooking, its the prep, the cook time, the serving, the clean up, etc etc etc.
I haven't perfected my methods yet but when I cook for two days at a time, I get more done and I am much more relaxed about my day ahead. I was cooking fresh meals everyday after work and some weeks I still do but the days I skip are amazing. I even make baby food for the week now.
Re: Exhausted!
kids day camps! there are so many out there to choose from ..... you can do half days or full.
planning and cooking ahead is good advise year around kids or no kids!
Re: Exhausted!
I only have one spoilt brat but she is driving me mad. I take her out daily to tire her out. When we get home she goes to sleep while I try to recover.