I’ll (19f) keep it short. I’m in college taking online classes. I’m taking care of my mom’s(41f) son(my little brother(9m) 24/7 since she works quite a lot, and only off two days. She acts like a totally different person around her cycle and it really gets frustrating. She always says “It must be around my cycle because I’m feeling bitchy.” Which I 100% get it. She is going through menopause and what not, and I respect that.

When she comes home, I listen to her rant about work, guy problems, etc… and I let her speak. I try to keep the house clean but it’s just becoming exhausting. Every single time I turn around everything is dirty. I sometimes even scrub the walls but guess what?? Dirty again.

On top of that my little brother isn’t easy to work with at all. He is 9 years old but he literally falls out on the floor, screams and cries when he doesn’t get his way. He kicked me, hit me, cusses, etc… He doesn’t listen to me which I could understand since I’m not his mom. But simple things like sweeping or putting up dishes is always an argument. He doesn’t wash dishes, he doesn’t cook, and our kitchen isn’t big at all, neither is our apartment . On top of that we live in an apartment, which there are neighbors. My mom told us to stay quiet because we have neighbors. But then she lets my little brother stomp, yell or do whatever.

Every single time I clean up the house it’s immediately back dirty by either my mom cooking(and not cleaning up after herself) or my little brother not caring if he drops food or makes a mess. I get it, my brother is 9 he is going to do that but it’s starting to get frustrating because I’m ALWAYS cleaning. I know my mom says that she appreciates me, but a lot of the times it just doesn’t feel like it.

My mom and I barely even hug anymore. Which is strange because when I was younger we always hugged. I always go in for the hugs now, it seems she doesn’t want to hug me back. It’s RARE that she even hugs me back. Anyway, I’m just really frustrated by all this because my cleaning hasn’t been up to par because I’m just so exhausted and frustrated with everything.

I would love to hear tips from others ❤️ thanks in advance.