I have schizoaffective, depressive type, and right now I am dealing with a lot of the depression end of things. I just wanted to make a post about parenting with depression, as I am wondering your thoughts on it or how you get through it.

Because of insurance related problems I am temporarily unable to get into therapy so I'm just trying to cope on my own. I have two sons age 11 and 7, so a lot of the time they're able to fend for themselves when I'm not well, but I feel like a really terrible parent and I really want to do better for them.

I have had a week of vacation from work and I've spent most of it either sitting and staring aimlessly or laying in bed. My whole house desperately needs to be cleaned but yesterday it took me two hours to get a few stacks of laundry put away, and the laundry had been on the table for two days. I can barely move and I don't feel like relating to anyone much, even my own kids. Which makes me feel guilty. And I haven't cooked them an actual meal in weeks.

I think that my goal for today is to give them each a hug at some point and I'm going to try to play a board game with them if they want to. My house needs to be cleaned but I think my energy would be better spent on trying to connect with my kids, even just a little.

I'm a single mom and I have wanted to make friends and date and expand my social circle because I really have none, but right now I think I can't really invite anyone into this mess and I feel like I just need to survive and make my kids the most important priority. And even that is difficult.

Just wondering if anybody else has any thoughts about parenting when depressed. Do you feel guilty that you're not being a good parent? Do you have other people to help pick up the slack and make sure your kids are staying healthy? Do you make mini goals for yourself for each day, or what is your method of coping...