RP from my Pregnancy and Parenting blog:

As many of you know, my son has SPD - a sensory disorder. It's managed well with home techniques, but he also has once-a-week therapy to work on some body control issues.

However, I've learned through his therapy much more than he has.
During the 45-minute session, I wait in the front room with a few other moms. We're all there weekly, and we all have the same schedule. So, after a few weeks, I've come to know A's mom, R's mom, S's mom, and my teeny friend Walter's parents.
All of the children have different needs, all of the parents have different personalities, but somehow we connect well. We've bonded over the universal theme that motherhood/parenthood is hard, our kids are amazing, and the everyday challenges are nothing compared to the moments of wonder you experience.

A few weeks ago, R was having a particular bad day. She's autistic, and when her schedule or routine changes, a lot of anxiety builds. We walked into the office, hearing R's voice singing Christmas carols repeatedly. Her mother was helping one of the therpists hold her and comfort her, and anyone could tell it was both physically and mentally exhausting.

Finally, the young girl was settled with her therapist and the mom came to sit with us. She vented about how hard the summer had been - her husband working long hours, her daughter unable to stick to a schedule given summer camp and outside committments. There are challenges unique to a child with special needs. You can't just go to the park and hope another child will play w.your daughter or son. Not everyone understands.
The mom's eyes were filled, and you could tell she was just worn out. She had no support. No sitter or athome help, few friends who understood her situation and could commiserate or offer help, and a loving husband who worked far too many hours.
I could relate. All of us in the waiting room could understand how taxing it is one's spirit to give so much to your child.

After much prodding from the team of waiting room moms, R's mom did talk to her husband. She asked for more help, more of a break - the random morning at the gym, or night out with some girlfriends, or shopping alone.
And they are looking for someone to babysit Rachel, so they can get time to themselves.

I share all this, not to let you into someone else's life, but rather to remind all of us that motherhood is hard. It is, at times, seemingly thankless. Little babies don't thank us for staying up all hours when they are teething. And our children don't understand the juggling acts we perform everyday, just to keep everyone clean, healthy, well-fed, and well-educated. And who expects them to? We're moms. It's our job.
But you need to thank yourself, and appreciate all that you do for your family.
Reach out, and build a support system. I'd encourage both an online support and some real world babysitters, family or friends who understand that you need your weekly time to yourself.

When I got married, someone gave my husband the advice, "Happy wife, Happy life," stressing that keeping your wife happy was a good insurance policy on a marriage.
Personally, I think it stretches far beyond that into parenthood. Well-rounded, happy parents make for happy kids. And what more could we ask for?
So please - take care of yourself. Motherhood is hard. Your girlfriends understand. Just ask.