[DH going through breakdown. Support only, please.]

Oh Moonhawk, I am so very sorry for all you are going through!

 

You seem like a very strong person, but please be sure to create boundaries and take good care of yourself! Postpartum depression and anxiety issues are still a risk and you have a little bitty baby and other kids to take care of. Make sure you are putting on your own oxygen mask whatever that may look like!

[S/o mental illness, what helps you function/school]

Rosie, thanks so much for the poll, so helpful to not feel alone!

 

I battled anxiety some before pregnancy, though undiagnosed. Ive also struggled postpartum, and for years after and now in pregnancy.

 

What helps you ladies achieve the high level of functioning you all achieve?! It seems like lots here have high achieving students and are great moms. How do you manage to live well with mental illness?

[Prayers please]

I'm still struggling a lot. Looking into going to UNC Chapel Hills program which is the top in the country for anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum. That will stink in some ways but in other ways it could be great for me to get that help!

[Prayers please]

My anxiety and depression symptoms are sky high and its limited what we can do because of me being pregnant. we have make a few med changes but Itll probably take a while to sink in. In the meantime Im feeling so so bad.

[S/o anxiety/depression, what to get checked]

Thanks for the replies to my post about PPD

 

I've been having increased anxiety and depression symptoms and several people recommended asking for bloodwork. What should I request they check:

 

Vit D

Vit B

Thyroid

 

Anything else?

[Who's going to tackle Wednesday with me?]

Bfast

Take kids to a play at a loca theater (they have the BEST education programs! This is a show of Brown Bear Brown Bear by an excellent theater group based in Nova Scotia)

Resurrection eggs

Lunch

OB apt

Gym

Dinner

 

My anxiety has been up a bit so likely throughout the day I'll also be dealing with that :(

[Postpartum anxiety and depression (and during pregnancy)]

I've mentioned before that I struggled horribly with PPD/A/OCD after my 2nd child. (I think I had undiagnosed PPA after my first but no where near as severe.)

 

I'm currently 24 wks pregnant with our 3rd and am struggling some already with both anxiety and depression, even on a low dose medication (approved by psych and ped and OB). I'm concerned about rest of pregnancy and also (especially) postpartum.

 

Suggestions of things I can do now to help? What about postpartum? Stories of encouragement?

 

I don't post on here too much (though more lately), but read a ton and have found this to be such a lovely supportive and kind group! I'd love your feedback!

[Who's going to tackle Tuesday with me?]

We were supposed to go to the zoo today but DS spent all night coughing his head off and complaining of an earache :(. Doctors office instead.

[Who's going to tackle Monday with me?]

Late but joining in..

 

Make bfast - DONE

Bible time, verses - DONE

Resurrection eggs - DONE

Dinner in crockpot - DONE

Park - DONE

Shower - DONE

Get maternity shorts for zoo trip tomorrow and maternity Easter dress - DONE

 

Colapse on the couch is all that's left ;)

[Do you "feel" like an adult?]

Maybe the kids and house don't contribute as much to your sense of maturity as other things you may have accomplished on your own due to personal efforts. Did you complete college, live on your own, build a career, achieve personal goals, etc., before getting married and having children? Those things really made me feel mature and adult. Now at age 50, my body tells me everyday that I'm an adult and no longer in my prime. :laugh:

DH and I were babies when we married. 20 and 22. But I did graduate college at 20 (a very high ranked school), I got a masters degree by 21 and worked 4 years before kids.

 

Idk, maybe it's bc most of my friends are older/have older kids? I always feel not quite where they are?

 

I am the first born and have always been crazy responsible. I started college at 16, away from home...

[Do you "feel" like an adult?]

Glad I'm not the only one!!

 

We have graduate degrees, had our first kid at 25, second at 27, bought a house at 27... I don't know what it is, just mostly a feeling thing. I keep wondering when feeling like an adult will kick in ;)

 

Kids needing braces might do it! That seems VERY grown up!

[Do you "feel" like an adult?]

I don't know why, but I often still don't feel like a "real grown up". That sounds so silly, but it's how I feel.

 

I'm 30 years old. I have 2 kids, 1 more on the way. We've bought a house. I homeschool our Ker. I don't know what else I'm waiting for, but I don't feel like an adult "yet".

 

Am I the only one?

[What do you replace soda with?]

I like Izzes a lot!

[Unethical Job Situation]

When I interviewed for a teaching position (years ago) all people were given questions in advanced. This was school policy

[Who's going to tackle Thursday with me?]

Dinner is already in the crock pot (chicken pot pie).

 

Rest of my list:

Fold 2 loads of laundry (putting away would also be good)

Tea time from yesterday

School

Nap if at all possible

Community group tonight

[Who's going to tackle Wednesday with me?]

Bfast - done

Pack lunches -done

coop - done

 

Still to do:

- make brownies for Easter traditions group tonight - DONE

- reading lesson with Ker - DONE

- day one of Resurrection Eggs - DONE

- poetry tea time

- make dinner - DONE

- clean for Easter traditions group (dump bath trash, sweep, vacuum (?), clean front door glass, tidy -DONE

- group!

 

Then collapse into bed!!

Tea time will have to wait until tomorrow... For now I'm relaxing until friends come!

[Who's going to tackle Wednesday with me?]

Bfast - done

Pack lunches -done

coop - done

 

Still to do:

- make brownies for Easter traditions group tonight

- reading lesson with Ker

- day one of Resurrection Eggs

- poetry tea time

- make dinner

- clean for Easter traditions group (dump bath trash, sweep, vacuum (?), clean front door glass, tidy

- group!

 

Then collapse into bed!!

[How long did you nurse your baby?]

20/21months and 26 months.

 

Both self weaned and I cried. But it was a good run!

 

I'm in the "love nursing" camp and can't wait for baby #3 (due July)

[Who's going to tackle Tuesday with me?]

So far today has been better!

 

I've:

- taken kids to park for a long play date/picnic lunch

- went to grocery store

- sent email for our Easter traditions night (I'm having several ladies over to discuss traditions tomorrow night)

 

Still to do:

- afternoon school

- make dinner

- CM book group tonight

[Who's going to tackle Monday with me?]

I FAILED at my not even very long list. DD is dropping her. nap but not yet having quiet time meaning I'm getting like NO break during the day. That, plus pregnancy, plus sleeping horribly last night meant I was running on fumes and the kids were quite trying.

 

DH came home and I left! I did an exchange at the store and got Chipotle by myself ðŸ˜ðŸ™ŒðŸ». I left him to cook the Mahi Mahi for them.

 

I'm planning to ride through the Chic fil a drive through for a frosted strawberry lemonade and then head home. Once kids are in bed. I'll try again tomorrow.

[Who's going to tackle Monday with me?]

Not too much has to be done today.

 

I was supposed to print my grandmas taxes but our printer broke (ugh!)

 

I need to do 1-2 loads of laundry

School for my Ker

Get Easter things out

Make dinner

[Who's going to tackle Sunday with me?]

My plans shifted a bit

 

DS complained all day of his ear hurting and I figured he would need to go in tomorrow but by 3:30 he was sobbing so we went to urgent care. Double infection, one pretty bad.

 

Neighbor needed to use our dryer bc hers was broken and she had wet clothes and another to wash. She has 5 kids. Bumped my laundry to tomorrow so she could use.

 

DH often cooks on Sunday's but he is sick so I made dinner and cleaned up. Made grilled chicken and bruschetta pasta salad (so good!). I also managed to make muffins for tomorrow/Tuesday bfast.

 

Read with the kiddos a good bit and also finished my CM reading.

[Who's going to tackle Sunday with me?]

We were all supposed to go to a baseball game after church but my 3yo BEGGED for a nap instead so she and I are staying home (and both napping!

 

I also need to:

- do 1 load of laundry

- read for my CM book group (meets Tues)

- get out Easter things, order a few needed items

 

If I have the energy

- go to Bed Bath and Beyond for an exchange

- go to dance cardio class at the gym

[asking for help]

I agree with what has already been said. And I don't think personality can be an excuse!

 

I have only 2 kids, 5 and 3 and am pregnant with #3. This is our first year homeschooling (Ker).

 

My husband is gone to work 8-6, minimum (sometimes goes in early). He is also studying for his licensure exams for architecture. He ALWAYS does dinner dishes, bath and bedtime duties.

 

Over the weekend I get groceries (alone), but that doesn't count as my break! I usually try to go to Panera for one meal over the weekend and take a few things to plan, a good book, my Bible and spend about 3 hrs. I also do a book club 1x/mo.

 

*Usually* I do most of the other housework, but since I've been pregnant DH does the bathrooms and vacuuming. (He started this when I was sooooo sick first trimester and has continued).

 

It's not ok for your DH to just watch TV while you are this stressed. It's just not! It needs to change!

[What's on your coffee table?]

We got rid of our coffee table with small kids and have a black ottoman (no corners!) in its place (with toys inside!). Sitting on top of it currently are two books, a magazine, and a bag of trail mix.