Feeling on Empty.....

A., take heart- this too shall pass. It sounds like at this point you need some spiritual food to hold you through this dificult time. Life is hard with no guarantees. Strangely, I am feeling the same right now - but my faith sustains me. Please call me at ###-###-#### if you need to talk. I have been there and going through the same thing again.

Hi A., I have had days where I have felt like you do now. But if you start to have alot of days like this then you may need to speak with your doctor. There is no shame in needing help. Sounds like you need friends that can support you through your tough times, why don't you find a moms group in your area? It will take time but you will form friendships and have a support network. Sometimes it's good just to have someone to talk to. Do you exercise? I don't mean to sound silly but exercise is a stress reliever if you are doing it correctly. It can also help with postpartum depression (I'm not sure if that's what you are dealing with). There are many mommy exercise classes out there where you can meet other moms. Check out www.babybootcamp.com they should have classes in your area. Another thing you can do is find ways to relax and take time for yourself. I force myself to take a bubble bath after my son goes to bed when I have really bad days (as childish as that sounds, I ALWAYS feel better afterwards). I agree with the other person that said you need to take care of YOU first before you can take care of someone else. It's not selfish...if you don't take care of you, how can you take care of someone else? Talk to your doctor or someone you trust at least. Get out and make some new friends, find a support network, get moderate exercise, and just try to relax and do something you love once in awhile. Good luck to you.

A.,
I am not in your situation, but my mom was. I wish you the best. Know that one day, things get easier. it is ok to feel the way you do. Breathe....find ways to take time to yourself, even if it is reading in the bathroom. Know that you have the hardest job of all (being a good mom) and it is made harder by your circumstance, so every reward is two-fold for you. Let yourself cry from time to time....journal your feelings if that helps. Find a social niche that you fit into (such as a church or a moms group...something). You'll get through somehow. Know that there are others like you out there. Wake up and overcome the day. But pat yourself on the back at night and tell yourself 'job well done'.

A.,
I would want to encourage you that your children need you, you go on for them.. This might sound selfish but they come first… I would suggest find your self a good church!! They can support you and help meet some of your needs…. Find a babysitter you can trust so you can get a brake form the children… I was single for 4 yr….married than my late husband was killed a year ago.. I’m raising 6 children ages 2 to 21…. No family to help but I persevered… it still hard and the boy ask for there dad and sometime I wish I had a man around just for the support and discipline help… a man present just makes a difference in the house…I ‘m always home so you can e-mail me anytime if you just want someone to talk..

J.

The most important thing that I can tell you now is that your not alone! I know that we as people expeirence many trials and tribulations but we have to understand that they are in our lives to make us stronger; and there's a lesson to be learned ,although we sometimes may not believe it. Our children are our everything, they love us with an unrelenting selfless love and we must use that as our motivation! I would also encourage you to visit a church were there is a strong support system! I wish you and your family the best of luck. I know that things will get better for you because I speak from experience! And most importantly I will keep you in my prayers!

Go ahead and cry, my friend. Let it out, I mean get a Lord have mercy cry out, on your knees, praying and talking to God. Then when your are just about totally exhausted, make you a hot, bubble bath, candles and maybe some happy juice and exhale, relax, let God work! And remember,you can repeat your venting when ever you feel this way. I am talking from experience. Remember you are important too, your peace of mind is the most important thing to keep in tact. Set aside 20 - 30 minutes a day that everyone in the house knows is your time, even the children. They will get use to it, they will know that mommy is taking her break, we can't bother her for 30 min. Be consistant. Your important! We need you:)

how do you do it alone...easy...one day at a time. a little about me and my story. i'm 28, totally a single mom. i was with my son's father for 3 years and before that over a year in high school. (8 year break in between) well he decided that it would be better for him to date a girl that's only 19, who couldn't offer him squat. so needless to say, they moved off and now live in texas. so i took him to court and do get child support. but to be a full time mom without many breaks. yeah it's tough. but i think of it like this...now i can raise my son the way i feel fit. raise him to be a gentleman..raise him to be a man. or at lesat give him those skills and pray for the best. it does get easier, i promise. when he left, my son was a year and a half. now he's almost 3. as i said, i'm a full time mom. i go to work, that's it. i never go out...last time out without the baby was back in september. but i wouldn't trade him for any night out. i actually feel guilty if i do go out without him. so we just go shopping and grocery shopping and out to eat. boring to some..but i lived my life before. but i promise you it will get better. and if you need..try medication. i had post pardim really bad adn i needed it. in fact i was on zoloft and welbutrim at the same time. it's so normal. and you will get back to your old self. i jsut want you to know that you are not alone..even though you might feel that you are. and you will do just fine. you are a woman...therefore you are strong. good luck and god bless.

a structured enviroment to the point of adding non-adictive sleep aids to go to sleep on time can really help

also maybe you arte a little depressed and just need someone to vent to as things come up

i've taken anti depressants for periods of time when needed - but find a good doctor

A.,

Don't give up! We have all felt that way at one time or another. You are not alone. Trust in God always. I don't mean to get all religous on you but that is the single most important thing I learned after going through my divorce & when my mother was sick and her eventual passing. I wanted to give up also but I turned to a church. I realized I couldn't do it on my own and needed help -- strength mainly just to get through each day. I wasn't getting the strength I needed from my friends or by having a drink at the end of the day.

My church has been my biggest blessing. My strength came from them and learning that God is always there. He is the one constant thing in the world. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Sometimes I would say that to myself all throughout the day and as corny as it sounds, it helped. I have learned that God gives us roots and the more we learn about God's word and apply what we've learned to our lives, the deeper and stronger our roots become and when we need strength, we can draw on our reservoir that we've stored in them.

Don't feel empty -- become fulfilled with God. My life did turn around because of it. I have also become a much better role model for my son & daughter.

I hope this helps you in some way.

In Christian Love,
L. M

I understand where you are coming from. As a mom of 4 and at one time, a single mom of two...it's tough(even with a man;) But you made it through yesterday and you can make it through today. You are not alone although it may feel like it at times. There are thousands of women who are or have been in you shoes. When we feel stressed over certain things in our lives then it seems everything is coming down at once.
I would encourage you to find other mom groups in your area. Most churches have small groups with women in the same boat.
When we are on the go and filling others needs we need to stop and take time to get filled back up ourselves so we can continue to be the caregiver. A. it does get better....just know someone in Virginia is praying for you!!

A.,

I know just how you feel. I have been there and said to myself that I am running on E, the only thing you can do is reach out for help. Even if it is your regular doctor or Ob/gyn, it doesn't matter, they can point you in the right direction. I know this because I went through the same thing, and I wasn't sure I wanted or needed a therapist. I found that just talking to my doctor helped. He was kind and sensitive and helped me. Just know that you are stronger than
you think you aare. Even reaching out and posting online for help is an act of strength. My prayer is that you be shown how strong you are and that if you are lonely and do want a husband or lover or boyfriend, that when the time is right, you'll have the companionship you desire. In the meantime, give yourself credit, you do a lot and it is okay to be tired and worn out from time to time. And crying is allowed, it is a great release!

List I know how you feel cause I have been there before what has helped me is praying to God and talking to someone who I know i can trust. No matter what you are going through dont take it out on fam or friends you can make it because I did. I really dont know you but I feel your pain. Reach beyond the break and hold on, hold on for your kid, your fam and your self you do matter and you are very important because God cares and I do to. Keep your head up and seek help from pep you can trust even if you think your situation is small no problem is too small that the God I pray to can not solve his name is JESUS and he cares. If you need to call me well... i really dont do this but its cool.... If you need to call me just hit me up on my business phone and i will call you back ###-###-####
If you are looking for work I have my own business called AmeriPlan go to my web www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40437570
Remember Keep Your Head up

hang in there girl.... the old cliche is so true "this too shall pass" .... it gets easier. Take care of yourself ... try to eat well and get some sleep whenever possible and reach out to people you trust for support.

A., I'm sorry your not feeling so hot these days. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate, and not enough people to help you out. I feel like that too sometimes. I think everyone feels like it's all just a waste sometimes. But we have to go on for our kids and the people who love us. The good thing is that this is most likely temporary. Depression affects everyone to a point, but some folks are just more prone to it(like me).Just remember that you will feel better eventually. I'd like to suggest to you though, that maybe you should talk to the doctor. There are wonderful medications that can help you feel better about your life. Please take good care of yourself and those you love.

I have to disagree with Janet, only in the respect of who you have to take care of...you need to take care of YOU first, so you can take care of them! I don't want to speculate about exactly what is going on with you, but with the little you posted, I'd be inclined to say talk to your Dr. My fave lil saying around here is "they make medication for that". I've felt like you in the past, and with the help of my Dr we've found what DOES work for me...after trial and error. But when I do take my happy pill, EVERYONE is happier!

Now, on the finding a church subject Janet mentioned, I wholeheartedly AGREE!! You'll find lots of help and support there...and if you are involved with a church that isn't helping/supporting you, find a new one! That could make a world of difference

B.