How do you keep your sanity?

Kaiterz · July 2012

It's been a long week and it doesn't seem to change any time soon. I feel like my sanity is slipping away, so how do you keep yours?

CaitlinJ22 · July 2012

I get out daily, whether its to go through a drive thru, or go to a park for 20 mins. Or even just to go to target and let my kids play with toys there.

Also I make sure I drink enough water and eat often so I have energy. I also find at least 30 mins to watch a show or play on the computer at night before bed.

Its gets better, hang in there.

Aimes78 · July 2012

I'm realizing that somedays I feel like I'm loosing my mind and other days are great. Much of it, for me, comes down to sleep, if t has a bad night or 2 then I really struggle. Getting out the house is our saving grace, I try & see friends, with little ones b's age 4x a week, I try & see them in the morning so that he can really run around & then nap well, this gives me some time to catch up around the house & to bond with t. (this makes it sound as though I have everything under control but Thursday was spent with me in tears as I was so sick & tired of multitasking!)

morgs8384 · July 2012

I haven't lost my sanity yet, since #2 isn't here yet... but I am already prepping for the lack of sanity. My mom is retired, so she will be coming over once a week to watch the boys for a couple hours while I get errands done, appointments, etc. As they get a little older that will change.. but I know in the beginning getting out a little will be a big help. Also, I'll load them up for walks around the neighborhood for some daily fresh air while the weather is nice.

Kaiterz · July 2012

I know getting out of the house is key for so many different reasons and I could do better with that. It's just hard being a one car family, but there could be better effort.

I have zero help outside of MH, which is limited since he's on call 24/7. And the lack of help has begun to be an irritant and point of frustration as well since we have friends and family, just no willing help. I really need to just get over that and stop letting it consume my head.

Thanks for the responses. I've made the decision changes need to be made with me to make life easier or more pleasant. I think getting out more and finding time for myself outside of the home alone needs to take priority.

TheMutleys · July 2012

You are assuming I had some sanity to start with. Wink

It sounds like you really need a true break. You need to get out of the house. You need to have planned time to get away, even if it is only once every other week or something. I've found that it is easier to get through a really trying time when I have a me-break to look forward to.

Is it also possible to look into a mother's helper or someone like that? A Mother's Day out program?

If nothing else, wine. Lots of wine. Drinks

Unknown · July 2012

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Kaiterz · July 2012

TheMutleys:
You are assuming I had some sanity to start with.
It sounds like you really need a true break. You need to get out of the house. You need to have planned time to get away, even if it is only once every other week or something. I've found that it is easier to get through a really trying time when I have a me-break to look forward to.
Is it also possible to look into a mother's helper or someone like that? A Mother's Day out program?

If nothing else, wine. Lots of wine.

I love you...

I just said to Dh the other day that I need to start drinking more. He agreed.

Unfortunately we don't have a Mothers Day Out program here. And we just put together a plan to be in position to sell/buy homes in a year or so and bringing in a mother's helper I'm sure wouldn't fit that plan.

I have a girls' night in (@ a friend's house) this weekend and tonight I'm starting the C25K so I'll be getting alone time and expelling stress through exercise. All good things. Things will get on track with time Thanks for all the support.

soontobemrs.boulet · July 2012

Back when DS was a baby we would get out a lot. I would find lots of activities to take my DD to and then we would all nap well in the afternoons. As DS has gotten older and more active I find that only doing something 1-2 times during the week and staying home the other days keeps life eaiser for us. We follow the same routine every day and that is the only way I don't lose my mind. When my kids get cranky we head out to the backyard. Even if we're just out there for 10 minutes it makes a huge difference in how we all feel. It's 106 here today so we probably won't spend a lot of time outside but after DS' morning nap we will go out and they will play in the sprinkler.

It does get easier. If you don't have a car that you can use host a playdate at your house or a neighborhood pool. That way you can get a little adult interaction and your kids will enjoy it too.

LizK507 · July 2012

I remind myself often that everything is a phase. Regardless of how hard it is now, I will miss a lot of aspects of this stage when the kids are older and the choas slows down. Remembering that growing our family this way is a choice doesn't always make it feel better but it does help a lot.

The first couple months are REALLY tough no matter how much help you have. I can tell you that it DOES GET EASIER. Try getting out with the kids more, even if just for a few minutes. Having them strapped in a stroller was the easiest way I could manage things at first. Also, give yourself a break - you're recovering from childbirth while caring for two kiddos and that's a LOT of work. You don't have to feel perfect every minute, it's fine to want to cry (actually cry) and feel frustrated.

I just made my goal for the first year "survival" - it didn't have to be pretty, we just had to get through it (and I'm only partially joking in saying that). We certainly survived and are now expecting #3 (which may put me over the edge), you will make it, I promise!

Lots of deep breaths

NewMoM2Be10 · July 2012

Aimes78:
(this makes it sound as though I have everything under control but Thursday was spent with me in tears as I was so sick & tired of multitasking!)

same here... so my quiet time is my shower ... lol i try to get up like 30 minutes earlier or stay up a little later after everyone is asleep so i can enjoy peace n quiet at home..

elmnop · August 2012

Kaiterz:

I know getting out of the house is key for so many different reasons and I could do better with that. It's just hard being a one car family, but there could be better effort.

I have zero help outside of MH, which is limited since he's on call 24/7. And the lack of help has begun to be an irritant and point of frustration as well since we have friends and family, just no willing help. I really need to just get over that and stop letting it consume my head.

Thanks for the responses. I've made the decision changes need to be made with me to make life easier or more pleasant. I think getting out more and finding time for myself outside of the home alone needs to take priority.

I am in a very similar situation and DH often works late or needs to go out on marketing dinners. I often have solo bedtime duty etc. We have no family here and our friends have their own crazy lives. I feel like I lose my mind daily - often from lack of sleep but still.

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