[randomchick]

Depressed SAHM. Not a great combination.

I spend all day with my kids - from the time they wake, to when they go to sleep. My husband is wonderful - he helps with the kids at night, right before bed (when he's home from work)... and sometimes he gets up early, letting me sleep in. Only so many times we try this, something comes up and I have to get out of bed to fix things anyway. And the morning never goes quite right, either.

*sigh* Home all day with two young kids. Sounds great, in theory... but the reality can be maddening. I want to raise them in a loving, understanding fashion (read: not the way I was raised), but I get frustrated dealing with their constant demand of my time and energy. Too often, I feel they are demanding my very life-force... all I've got to give... when I just want to be alone for a while. I want to feel like a human being again... and how can I uplift my children when I can barely get myself up and going each day?

*whew* It is good to vent, now and then.

[Naturefreak]

(((randomchick)))

This is a good place to vent . You are a human being , you are a depressed human being. Which is not much fun , I know I am also
depressed . Just don't have any children so I don't know if I would be of much help to you in that department. There are many people
here that can give you advice and support .
I hope things get better for you . Take Care

Would you perhaps want to enroll your children in say, a church Mother's Day Out or Weekday School, even if it's just once a week? Do you have a psychologist & psychiatrist you can talk to? I'm not a mom, but that's all I can think of for now! I do see a psychologist, dietician, & psychiatrist. It helps me a lot! Take time out for yourself!

[turquoisesea]

even babysitting for 6 hours can get crazy! Don't feel bad, it's natural and normal. Is there any way you could get a family member or baby sitter every once in a while for you just to go out to a coffee shop or something just for you?

[Rohag]

My math may be off, but...
depressed mom + 2 children = non-depressed mom + 8 to 12 children, or something like that.

I think all the advice above is sound. Any full-time mother needs recovery time away from the little ones (to include adolescents), and you much more so.

[Fuzzybear]

[Elysium]

Well....yeah your depressed!!! It sounds like you have no you time!!

In order to raise your children in a loving environment, you first and foremost need to make sure you're taking care of yourself.

Maybe see if there is a way you could enroll in a community class for a couple hours a week doing something you like. Whether it be gardening, painting, dance, a book club, or auto mechanic...find something stimulating that can bloom within yourself.

Yes, you would most likely have to find a sitter for that time, but it is so necessary to keep you healthy. You need to have a fulfilling life to. Children are a blessing and it is wonderful to be around to watch them and help them grow...but YOU need to grow too. Sacrificing yourself for them will hurt all of you in the long run.

Can you see if there is something in your community where you could take your kids with you. Like an art class where parents and kids do art together. That would be cool for the kids...they'd get to be around their peers, and you would get to be around the other parents.

I've even heard of Husbands taking a hiatus from their jobs so they can stay at home for a while with the kids and the wife can go out and work. You could also get a part time job doing something you love. Again...you would have to have a sitter or day care, so you would most likely spend your part time income on financing that, but you would gain a life outside of the home at the same time.

All of these are healthy things. I hope that you are able to find a way to take care of your needs. Keep posting here and we will be here for you too!!