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Depressed...

tiggs381tiggs381
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

Well I should preface this by saying I've had depression for a long time, but at least lately, I've really been struggling with parenting issues...

My daughter Kara is 17 months old, and 6 days a week I stay at home with her until 3 or so when my husband gets home. I also work at least 3 nights a week from ~3-11:30, so definitely busy!

She's always been a very fun, happy, laid-back baby, but ever since she went to one nap (about 2 months ago), I've really been struggling... she's been crankier, I thought from the transition (which was actually really quick), but it's also just a challenge to find things to "do" for this long morning stretch before her nap. That's probably a whole separate post...

But the worst problem is that I'm just struggling with general sadness/exhaustion/guilt/anxiety, whatever... it's probably a combination of a lot of things; finding ways to keep her happy/occupied, being completely exhausted from lack of sleep, guilt over not doing more with her, letting her watch TV when I'm too exhausted to do anything else, or just coping through the increase in crying/fussiness, etc.

I know this is a challenging age... but anyone experienced this and/or have any advice? It's probably a job for my psych/therapist but thought it was worth posting at least!

I try to get out and do things... but it's hard since I'm sooo exhausted (and deal with chronic pain).

And it all piles on top of each other since I HATE her seeing me depressed, so I feel even more guilty, which just makes me cry more, ugh!!!

Any ideas on how to get out of this cycle? 

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Re: Depressed...

  • meganjoey0728meganjoey0728 member
     I completely understand how you feel. I feel the same way with the guilt and anxiety. I am about to be staying at home with LO all summer and am more worried then excited. Talking to my husband, planning activities for LO and I, and getting out of the house all help. Try joining a gym with a daycare, a playgroup, or pool for the summer. GL!
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  • DivallynDivallyn member
    I can relate. Things got a lot better for me when my son went into childcare. I was happier because I had a better balance and he was happier because he had more stimulation and such a broad range of activities. I don't know ifthat is an option full or part time but it made the world of difference for us.
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  • cbmp06cbmp06 member
    Hey... I'm sending you a PM :)
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  • Ya Never KnowYa Never Know member

    Are there any play groups or meetups around your area? You could fill in a few mornings a week that way, and it might help to be around other moms or caregivers that are home during the day too. I did this a lot when I was home with DD because I was feeling a lot of the things that you are. On the days where we were out, I was generally in a better mood and more awake, and it made the days where we didn't go out easier because DD wasn't so frustrated with being in the house as much. Staying around the house was just making me more tired. I needed to get outside and interact which was difficult because it was winter, and I didn't have the car when I was home so getting around wasn't easy. I ended up finding some SAHM's that were walking distance from where I lived, and we'd make plans just to get together and do whatever, and that helped a lot.

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