Carrie,

You are a good mom. Nobody can keep it up all the time, and it's okay to need a break. It's even okay to tell the kids that right now you need some quiet time, and go in a room by yourself or go for a walk for 10-15 minutes or more, depending on the ages of your kids. I have the impression that your daughter is old enough that you can leave them alone sometimes - am I right? My point is that you don't have to be perfect all the time, and the kids should know that you have your limits and need your space. Otherwise they might grow up thinking that parents have to be perfect.

I think that one of the worst mistakes that my mother made was trying to be perfect, or rather trying to make me believe that she was perfect. She didn't show emotions in front of the kids. But sometimes she reached a breaking point and would have a panic attack (if in public) or go lock herself in her room for hours at a time and not talk to anyone. Parents are human, and that is the way it should be.

Glad that you are feeling better now!

Wendy

<font color=orange>"They accused us of suppressing freedom of expression. This was a lie and we could not let them publish it." ... from the Director of Censorship...

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