Am I overreacting or am I underappreciated at home?

well.. the delema is that I work 2 jobs.. and help my sister with her 3 kids, bc their father bailed after the 3rd was born.. well.. I get up every day at 515AM and help with the kids till 8,I get ready for work and I work till 4 and at 5 I go to my second job until 11 or 12 at night.. My mother always complains that I never help out around the house. but the truth is I try. I work 5 days aweek and help with the 3 kids 7days a week.. I try and clean up after myself and others. But even on my days off I spend every minute cleaning, and I even cook dinner for my mother. I feel really unappreciated.. am I overreacting or is my mother crazy? and I attend weekend classes at the community college near my house.. My schedule is jam pack with work kids and school.. on my days off I would love to just sit and relax but if I do so my mother says im being lazy and I dont help around the house.. I think I do enough by cleanign up after myself, I dont feel I should clean up after her or anyone else that lives in the house. I yi yi.. im so lost and confused..

Dear baybiex3mc18,
What is there to be confused about..you are doing way, way too much. First of all you are going to have to allow your sister to find alternative care for her kids. This isn't your responsibility and it shouldn't be. The children have a mother and you must allow her to be one. By doing her work for her you also take away her sense of pride by accomplishing her duties. So allow her to be proud of herself by letting her do her own job. I'm willing to guess that you mother doesn't do a lot of cleaning around the house and has also shunned her own responsibilities like your sister is doing. So you have two choices do the work without complaint or tell them that you are going to take this time to take care of your own responsibilities and they must do the same. Of course you'll get arguments and perhaps if you are of age tell you to move out. If you are working two job you probably can manage at least a room. Both choices aren't easy but you have to make one or the other.
Sue..good luck

Sounds like your plate is full and you're doing a good job..Mom crazy ? certainly not..maybe feeling a bit neglected in the rush or could use a hug/I Love you more often..she might also feel at her age the clean-up is a daunting task..a heart to heart would go a very long way..I wish you all the best !!

Sometimes, we need to learn to say no.

Too much kindness can lead good people to be unconsciously abusive simply because you allow them to.

You see, you sleep at 12 and you wake up at 5, with 2 works and three kids.. Well, I think that even if you receive all the appreciation and praises everyday, there is still something missing. And you know that!

Be kind to yourself.

no ! you need to tell your mom that! tell her that you dont need her putting this crap on your shoulders when you alread have enough to deal with tell her to be understanding