How hard is it for people to leave you the h*ll alone and let you eat in peace? I love my family dearly, but something has got to change...and soon! I make everyone's plate, mine last...always have. I have historically been disappointed that no one seems to care that I'm not eating yet when they dive in, so I'm usually last to finish. Now with the new slow mode its even worse. I'm sitting chewing, pausing - they work through their plates and leave...DH promptly starts cleaning the kitchen [a good thing, I know] and I find myself fighting to not "hurry up" so my dishes are ready for him. My DS4, who has no doubt asked for 6 things since I sat down finishes and starts hounding me for what's next, again push to rush....push to rush.....Darn it, this is hard enough to slow down, can I get a little help here??? In the end, I don't even eat until "satisfied" because my gut tightens over the stress of trying to make it all work.....Can anyone relate?

Sounds like time for a "family meeting"! You need to voice this to your family so they can understand and help accomodate you. My hubby makes everyone wait until I am at the table before we say the blessing and then eat. When everyone is done, they take their plates in the kitchen, but I do the cleaning when I am done. Maybe tell hubby you will clean up your own stuff when you are done... or just let him go and sit and then get back up to do yours when you are done?

I have been putting everything my kids need from the fridge and kitchen they use.. down low, so they can go get it themselves and I am not bothered. My youngest is 5, she can get just about everyhting she needs because it is down low for her. Maybe a possibility for you?

Good luck! I know being a mommy can be fustrating! Happy Mothers Day!! :confused:

Thanks for listening. You are right, a family meeting is in order. I found that posting was a good way to "get rid of it" so now i can have a rational conversation - yesterday, it wasn't going to happen. Thanks again for the support.:biggrin: