Anyone Else Ready to Run for the Hills????

From one tired mommy to another, sending a great big cyber hug [xxxxxxxxxxx]! We all need one some days! LOL

Venting is healthy. You sound like you are handling things to me. We all get there sometimes. Hope it gets better.

(Martha, what a wonderful Christian name!) Martha, you have so much to be thankful for: 2 healthy children, a wonderful hubby who helps; you are fortunate enough to stay home with your children & afford MDO, you're healthy, you can still nurse (you know in the Bible they nursed till the age of 3! Talk about strapped!ha), you have friends and family you have to invite to celebrate the birth of your little blessing, your mom's in a much better place, and you know God will take these burdens from you b/c His yoke is light. Give it to Him. He doesn't want you to feel any of what you described b/c it's not of Him.

In your quiet time, ask the Lord to help you see the good and take any negative thought captive. When you feel the weight coming down at any point of your day ask Him again to lift the burden and give you peace and joy in your heart. You're His child, and He wants you to enjoy all the gifts He's given you. Focus on HIm!

I'm right there with you sister! I understand...I understand. You're now in my prayer journal & I, too, will lift you up!!

Sisters in Christ,

A.

Could be worse. I have twin 4 yr olds and twin 17 mo olds and a husband that travels frequently for weeks at a time. Plus I am expected to work full time (with nannies here during the day but just 40 hrs a week) and DH is quite angry that I no longer make six figures. I have gained a ton from carrying two sets of twins and being pregnant or trying to get that way for six years (2 miscarriages along the way). Plus we own 7 buildings with 28 rental units with one to 3 tenants in each one that I manage in my spare time; leasing, repairs, bookkeeping, taxes, applying for new loans, construction projects, the works. My children have been passing a virus between them the last few weeks and I spent Fri night up all night with one baby that could not breathe and ended up at the hospital with him. My 17 mo olds had just started sleeping through the night SOMETIMES a few weeks ago, but with the illness they are up on and off all night (or just all night). And actually I have a pretty upbeat attitude for someone with all that, and I am Christian (or I would not still be here) and my kids are wonderful and really fairly healthy. But yes these are some frustrating times. And I did not need to vent, just thought a little humor and perspective (i.e. twice the kids) might lift you up a little. I lost 3 loved ones in the space of 4 years; my mom died in 90, a fiance in 92, and my father died a month before my wedding in 94. It is tough especially when you think about how your mom might be able to help you out here and there. Here's a trick I use to get a little rest. Get comfy in a chair with your baby in your lap; make sure he's secure with your arm around him; turn the TV on Teletubbies or his favorite show, and snooze away while he watches TV. It's sometimes good for ten or fifteen minutes and when you have sleep deprivation that seems like two days. good luck and this too shall pass

You're not alone! But think about the fact that we'll be wishing for some "cooler" weather come about August 15th when none of us will be able to take any more of this heat!!! Buy some canned soup, warm it up and indulge. Oh and one thing I find that I really like is to buy some of the mulling spices for making apple cider and just boil it on the stove top in water. It makes my house smell so yummy and makes me temporarily forget how crummy it is outside!!!
I hope you and yours feel better soon. It doesn't help when you're sick. We just got all better at our house and now I think my hubby is coming down with something. Time to take care of the "big baby"!

I have some thoughts, but would like to know what type of sleep troubles your children are having before offering advice. I have two children with sleep disturbances and I know how frustrating it can be. I don't think you are crazy, but probably very sleep deprived which can mimick depression like symptoms in adults. There is help and a light at the end of the tunnel but it is necessary to get to the bottom of your children's sleep issues before intelligent advice can be offered. Since you mentioned it rest is a promise in the Bible, I will try to find the verse for you - and I'm not talking about the Come to me... verse!

I'm with you too. I have a 13 yr old. This is the time of year I head to South Beach by myself to chill out and have my toes in the sand. I usually go late January or February.

Even if you don't go to a beach, maybe hubby can watch the little ones while you go to a local hotel and relax. That can be a god send to those of us who need some sleep and mommy time!!

Susan

Martha, you are not alone! I was watching some of the game on Sunday with my hubby and I just kept talking about how depressed I would be in that cold! I am so thankful to live in Texas. BUT, when it is cold and dreary outside like it is today it is just so depressing...I turn into Debbie Downer! I always seem to get a bit down after all the holidays are over. January is not my favorite month of the year!!!

One thing that helps me is this...

What did we want to do (before kids came along) on cold dreary days? Sit down and cuddle up and watch TV!! I have resorted to letting my kiddo watch Jay Jay the Jet Plane a few times a day. He enjoys it and it gives me some time to lay on the couch and close my eyes for a bit. I work too, so I understand wanting to spend quality time. Sometimes just laying on the floor next to them while they are watching something on TV is good.

When this weather passes I think we will all feel mentally better. Just know that you are not alone...rant whenever you want on this board! You are saying what alot of us are thinking!!!

Take care

I am right there with ya. This is the worst time of year for me. I hate this weather! My kids are older and more active. So I don't have the nursing issues. But they don't nap and still wake sometimes at night and want to stay up. I am a night owl all ready. I have my own sleep issues. One is a snoring husband. I can't get him to go to the doctor, he has sleep apnia and snores extremely loud. His excuse is we have to get me healthy first. I have had a terrible year health wise, now its the damn gall bladder. I tell him I am suffering from sleep deprevation too. He thinks thats funny. Been trying to lose weight for a while now that I gained from my 3rd pregnancy. My 3rd child is almost 6 yrs. old. Work is next to nill this time of year since I do pest control. We are usually broke during winter. I can't wait till spring!
Don't feel all alone. It sucks this time of year. But it will be nice soon.

Hey Martha,

I doubt you're alone in how you feel, but did you get a chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine over the weekend at least? I personally can tolerate days like today when we at least get some sun occasionally. It was a bit chilly yesterday, but we managed to get out for a little while. I know you don't want drugs and just want support for where you are, but you might want to make sure that your doctor checks your thyroid (using the newer lab ranges). That can impact all your other hormones and be a primary source of your exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed by everything, including this yucky weather. There are natural supplements that you can also take that can boost your thyroid function. I have finally gotten my thyroid stabiliized after 4+ years and I can tell you that it can make a world of difference in your outlook and dramatically increases my tolerance for weather like this (last year this sort of weather absolutely hurt and there would be no way I would even consider bundling up and walking the dogs).

Be well,
M. B

You are not alone. I teach 160 7th graders all day and then come home to 3 kids (16, 10, and 8) and a police officer husband (who is never here). My grandfather just passed away. I have almost died twice in the last 2 years due to my health. I have several chronic illnesses that are very painful but I am expected to climb mountains all the time. Today, my therapist (after seeing my children from their overwhelming grief of the loss of their PaPaw who lived next door) told me that she has no idea how I have not gone off the deep end between work, home, the kids, and my grandfathers death. Please pray for me too. I am hanging in there. God is in control. I just wish he would toss me the steering wheel or a map.

Thank goodness. I thought it was just me.
Did you know that supposedly yesterday signified the most "depressed" feeling day of the year? I heard it on the news.
Honestly... I feel overwhelmed as well. My husband is pretty awesome, but we are having a hard time transitioning him back into our family after being gone for the most part of the past couple years (Iraq). I know it will work itself out, but it is stressful. lol
There is a medium list I won't bore you with, but I've just been feeling unorganized and unmotivated... and I need to get on the ball.
ANywhooooooooo Hugs to you.
E.

LOL! YES - I am right there with ya! I have two boys 4 and 2, and a 6 month old girl. I love them all dearly, but things that should have me smiling and laughing with them, make me crazy! I CANNOT get my house clean or organized the way I want it. (BTW - FLYLady.net has helped there.) My wonderful husband is also very demanding. So, although I love him VERY much, some days I'd just like to kick him - for example when he brings up how little sleep he gets. HA! I haven't slept for more than two hours at a time in about 8 months.
Sleep depravation makes us crazy, bless your heart. Just know you're not alone. This mommy thing is the hardest job ever.
L.

Hi there Martha,

You are too cute, You have said it all. I think most of us mothers feel the same way. I am also a SAHM with a 3 and 4 yr old. I have no family here (moved from Ca. 3 yrs ago) I dont get much help from my husband although he is great. So needness to say we have not been on a date ever, I get no time for myself, my boys are very active blah blah blah. LOL

I just laugh because I feel the same as you do but maybe I handle it differently. I love the winter time, my whole life is consumed with my boys, I do stuff that they love and I enjoy myself seeing them happy. I have a workout program that involves them, they do yoga with me, they walk with me, they even cook with me.

Maybe you are doing too much around the house. Give yourself days to not do any house work and just lay around with your kids. Go to chuck e cheeses, or inflatable wonderland and run around like a kid like them.

It is tough i know, i want to pull my hair out sometimes, but I think how boring and unfulfilled I would be if they werent here.

Hang in there
Hey my boys even sleep with us. My 3 yr old sleeps in between my husband and I and my 4 yr olds bed is to my left. So man there goes my sleep. I am constantly being woken up. I know that is a bad habbit and we hope to break that someday. Hee hee

I hope that helps, it is so amazing what us women go through on a daily basis.

You just have to LAUGH!!!!!

Dont run for the hills, run to the coast!!! I'm in Galveston County. Aside from the fact that I may get blown away from hurricane in any given year, the weather has been pretty decent lately. Its sunny and warm today. It was cruddy yesterday, but, we made it through. I hope you see your sunshine at the end of the tunnel!!!
Margaret:)
P.S. Be thankful you dont live up north!!! You would have the overcast, the cold, AND SNOW!!!!

Hi Martha,
I gave a big sigh after reading your post because I too have been both overwhelmed and exhausted lately! My mom came into town for what was supposed to be a fun weekend and I got the flu late Thursday night, my husband got it on Friday afternoon and I had to take my little one to the pedi yesterday for an ear infection!! But, I am up and sitting at my desk at work, yawning and with a headache, while my husband is still at home in bed getting some sleep. Sometimes I think he is a bigger baby than my 20 week old!! And speaking of my DH, I am trying to think about what I can do to celebrate his bday tomorrow when all I really want to do is crawl under my desk and take a nap, because you know who is the one who gets up to take care of our little one in the middle of the night, give him his medicine and comfort him back to sleep! I had these exact same feelings sometime around when my boy was 5-6 weeks and all I could tell myself is that "breakdowns lead to breakthroughs" and don't you know, that by week 7 I was starting to feel a whole lot better and that I could actually manage it all! Hopefully I have another breathrough like that soon because I don't feel like I am managing much very well at all right now! :)

Thanks for sharing your "vent", I am glad to know I am not alone! :)

Take care!

I am ready to run for the hills on a daily basis! I know it is hard to find time for yourself~ find something that you like to do....once a month even~ something to look forward too. I have joined a keeno group (like bingo) and it helps alot. At least one night a month laughing and enjoying time with grown ups! Just a thought~ Hang in there!
T.

hi,my youngest is gonna be 4 this sat..i understand about winter months staying indoors with lil ones due to crappy weather and it is normal for some like myself to get winter blues.take advantage of any nice days we have take kids to park let them run wild your lil one will nap then.one tip that i try is indoor tanning it helps with the blues.

nice name M. :)

Have you considered joining or starting a babysitting co-op? It would allow you to get out of the house for a little "me" time.