Foggy and distracted

Re: Foggy and distracted

• SmrBrd2012 member

  January 2016

  You've almost completely described my life right now except my babe is 7.5 months. I also only had a 10 week mat leave! I stare at photos of LO all day. I keep meaning to step up at my job and work above and beyond my responsibilities to try to move up in my department but I have such a lack of motivation. I have no real advice other than to tell you you aren't alone. All I can do is remember that I'm at work to better our lives financially and give LO a stable future and that helps a little. I'm hoping once my little guy is sleeping better, I'll be more rested to feel more confident in my job..

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• klirwin82 member

  January 2016

  Yup, and we are just at 6 months. Actually I've felt like I've been in a fog since he was born, like everything is just whizzing by. I think it's lack of sleep compounded by exhaustion from breastfeeding & pumping and it never gives me time to do anything for myself. I still haven't lost the baby weight so I also feel like I'm in some weird fat suit with crappy, awkward clothes. I'm doing the bare minimum at work, just trying to survive the day (which I am not proud of), can't stay focused and then race home to do LO bath, wash bottles, cook with my husband, pack the diaper bag and go to sleep in order to do it all over again. And on the weekend I never do anything that would make me feel better, like going clothes shopping, because I just want to lay in bed with LO in pajamas.
  
  I keep thinking that when LO sleeps through the night and probably when I'm done breastfeeding it'll get better but then I know weaning can trigger depression so who knows.

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• Nickioch member

  January 2016 edited January 2016

  Yes to you both, and the fat suit thing. But when do I work out?! Home at 6, race to do bath, shove a snack down my throat, nurse at 630, bedtime, then I just want to sit or I have to clean the pump parts and prep for tomorrow. My husband work until 830 but that'll change soon so maybe I'll gain back some evenings. Agreed to that weekends are so busy and I just want to play and snuggle because really that's all that matters! I totally am just scraping by at work and I'm worried it's being noticed and I'll get a poor review or no raise this year I appreciate the empathy knowing I'm not alone in this dense fog!! Best to you all!

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• crsanchez87 member

  January 2016

  klirwin82 said:

  Yup, and we are just at 6 months. Actually I've felt like I've been in a fog since he was born, like everything is just whizzing by. I think it's lack of sleep compounded by exhaustion from breastfeeding & pumping and it never gives me time to do anything for myself. I still haven't lost the baby weight so I also feel like I'm in some weird fat suit with crappy, awkward clothes. I'm doing the bare minimum at work, just trying to survive the day (which I am not proud of), can't stay focused and then race home to do LO bath, wash bottles, cook with my husband, pack the diaper bag and go to sleep in order to do it all over again. And on the weekend I never do anything that would make me feel better, like going clothes shopping, because I just want to lay in bed with LO in pajamas. I keep thinking that when LO sleeps through the night and probably when I'm done breastfeeding it'll get better but then I know weaning can trigger depression so who knows.

  This. Especially the Fat Suit. I just started (LO is 9 months) to try and do some work out routines at home. I always look forward to watching one show from the DVR per evening after LO goes to bed and now instead of fast forwarding through the commercials I will do a 45 sec plank or 50 jumping jacks. I tend not to hate it as much and have a little extra motivation to get through it and rest when the show comes back on.   

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• Bigboobsmcgee member

  January 2016

  I have a 15 month old and a 3.5 year old and I'm still foggy! Every single day.

  Once you become a parent it's easy to lose yourself if you aren't careful. For me, I am always doing things for other people, I'm always being touched, I'm always being talked to, I'm always barking orders and I'm always moving. I never have a moment of downtime and that eventually breaks you down. Hell, when I'm alone in the car I don't even turn the music in because I want silence!

  I believe that the foggy head and being distracted doesn't ever go away but it's up to you to control it. Focus on eating healthy, getting in a quick workout or even a walk (I get up at 5am to work out before my family is up), drink lots of water and don't dwell on the bad shit. If you hate your job and miss your kid enough to make a change then do it. I also count down the minutes until I can go home because I miss my kids but I won't let myself sit at work and be miserable.

  Do little things to improve your mood and your outlook. It's not easy, I'm not saying it is but only YOU can make these changes and now that you're a parent you sort of have to. For you and your family. Good luck

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• snowflake2214 member

  January 2016

  When I went back to work after having DD1 I learned I could do my job in my sleep. It was such a fog. I am returning from maternity leave with DD2 on Monday to a new teaching position. I'm wondering how I will be able to concentrate enough for everything I have to learn.

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