mlbuchina Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 I have a lot of things going on in my life right now that are really hard. I am having a hard time getting through it without going into a deep depression (been there, and I don't ever want to go back). The girls' attitudes are terrible, but I am the one with the inability to respond well and the emotional meltdown everyday that just makes it worse. We cannot take a break, or I would. What things to you do to handle stress? :bigear::bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Let me know when you figure it out! I feel like we've been spiraling downwards here too. Some things that have helped: -Get up and get it done. If I just DO the things hanging over my head, I feel better. -Clean the house. -Make a to-do list so I can see that it's really simple stuff and not overwhelming. -Talk to friends. Confide. Cry. Drink wine. -Schedule time out with friends. -Get outside every day. -Take a break from school, but put a limit on it like one day or one week. Use that time to indulge, rest up, do whatever so that you can recommit. -Write. Blog. Get it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Sometimes when the kids were younger and I felt I needed a break I actually did more with them. But, I am talking making hot cocoa and reading out loud or playing outside with them, building a train track all over the living room floor or mixing up baking soda and vinegar in film canisters. I think I needed a break from the nagging, not from my kids. Also helped me just to enjoy them more. Now they are teens and pretty independent. Now I miss when they were little! Well, not really, I am just amazed at how tall my boys are now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I usually end up screaming my head off in one big blowout of an "I don't get any respect around here!!!" tantrum, go and cry, refuse any mumbled apologies from my loser family and cry some more, apologize myself for screaming, and then get back to the grind when I feel like it. By then I love them again. :D Mature, huh? I try really hard to avoid the first part of that scenario and I'm getting better at it, but not totally yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Do more reading aloud, less written work. Watch videos. ,meal prep Sundays-it is hard but so worth it. Have hubby take kids one evening and go get a manicure amd read People. Wake up early one day and meditate, pray, breathe. Determine you WILL stop your day a 2 (or whenever) even if you are "not done". Have dh give the kids a talking to. Play educational games. Audio books. Computer games-dreambox, time4learning, mathwhizz, labyrnth. Take the dogs for a long walk on the beach. Work out. Stretch. Take a bubble bath. Get a pedicure. Get a massage. Laugh nstead of cry. Play Wii with the kids. Okay, so maybe this is my list. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 My answer is really boring: I make an extra strong effort to exercise (like a minimum of 45 mins a day), eat really well and get to bed early. I also take a couple really good books out of the library. When I exercise and eat well I feel like I am taking care of myself. The sleep is the hardest thing for me to do so when I give that extra effort, it is sort of a reminder that I need some care. The good book is because I always love escaping into somewhere else. So, I know it isn't much and sounds dull, but I have come to think of those things as basic care and feeding of me. If I put effort there I feel it in the rest of my life. The good sleep still eludes me, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 We take a break and go to the park or walk the neighborhood, and the rest of the day we read a fun book on our list of things we want to read. It is easier for me to be a day behind in their work than to spend a week being stressed and frazzled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Read aloud, let them watch awesome DVDs, put in great audio books, put out playdough. Nobody really likes to hear folks say this...but ...your kids are young. It is OK to chill, read, bake, let them write on their chalk or white board, go on field trips, watch historical movies and talk about them etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Exercise, hard exercise, at least 5X per week. Also drink plenty of water, at least 2L. I find I am so much more patient when I am properly hydrated. I am a much kinder, patient parent that handles stressful situations without always losing it when I get plenty of exercise and water. I hope you find something that works for you soon. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakereese Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 My answer is really boring: I make an extra strong effort to exercise (like a minimum of 45 mins a day), eat really well and get to bed early. I also take a couple really good books out of the library. When I exercise and eat well I feel like I am taking care of myself. The sleep is the hardest thing for me to do so when I give that extra effort, it is sort of a reminder that I need some care. The good book is because I always love escaping into somewhere else. So, I know it isn't much and sounds dull, but I have come to think of those things as basic care and feeding of me. If I put effort there I feel it in the rest of my life. The good sleep still eludes me, though. :iagree::iagree: This is my plan, too. I can do all of it except get to bed early. I TRY, I really TRY, but I start reading and all of a sudden 3 hours have passed. :banghead: But those small things really make a difference with me. I'd love a massage, a pedicure, other things like that, and sometimes I do those things. But if I am taking care of me in those basic ways, I can handle most things. Hang in there, mama. At least you recognize you need something, and I hope you can find what works for you. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I have a lot of things going on in my life right now that are really hard. I am having a hard time getting through it without going into a deep depression (been there, and I don't ever want to go back). The girls' attitudes are terrible, but I am the one with the inability to respond well and the emotional meltdown everyday that just makes it worse. We cannot take a break, or I would. What things to you do to handle stress? :bigear::bigear: The last two years have been the most difficult of my life. I am not even kidding. Physically: Exercise helped a lot. I also started watching what I ate. The time I spent taking care of myself physically, was also the time I had to be alone. Spiritually: My faith was also a huge factor. I knew that I could get through anything with God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I get math and reading just d.o.n.e. - no more Science is a documentary of their choice History is a documentary or several historical fictions on cd Lots of play time outside for the kids while I sit and watch with a magazine in hand. :grouphug::grouphug: A lot of us have btdt - it will get better again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlbuchina Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 Thank you!! I see some things that I can start doing right now, and some things that I can start adding in. We had a better day today, and actually got everything I had planned done. And only a few attitude problems to deal with (from all of us). :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I usually end up screaming my head off in one big blowout of an "I don't get any respect around here!!!" tantrum, go and cry, refuse any mumbled apologies from my loser family and cry some more, apologize myself for screaming, and then get back to the grind when I feel like it. By then I love them again. :D Mature, huh? I try really hard to avoid the first part of that scenario and I'm getting better at it, but not totally yet. Lol. Thank you for your honesty! We all have these days and anyone who says she never does is lying or hitting the wine too hard, and doesn't remember.:tongue_smilie: I have noticed that when they are horrible one day and you think you can't take it anymore, they are better the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 The last two years have been the most difficult of my life. I am not even kidding. Physically: Exercise helped a lot. I also started watching what I ate. The time I spent taking care of myself physically, was also the time I had to be alone. Spiritually: My faith was also a huge factor. I knew that I could get through anything with God. Me too. Worst years of my life, and I can't even exercise, well, not much. Yes, without God, I wouldn't even be here. He is the only way to make it through and I can't imagine my life not knowing this. I am pretty sure it would be far worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I tie a knot and swing. That's what I do when I'm at the end of my rope. That basically just means I do what I have to to get by. I hope things get better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 When at the end of my rope I tie a knot and hang on tighter. Then I pray, and focus on my health making sure I am eating and sleeping well. If I am getting like that and I think my depression will flare I book an appt with a shrink asap, BEFORE the depression hits. Sometimes having that person to talk to is enough to thwart the depression, and if not I have already been getting seen so getting medication to treat is much faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aelwydd Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I eat chocolate. I escape into some good fiction. I watch my son play hockey. (Alternatively, I come to this board and eat my own foot.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I eat chocolate.I escape into some good fiction. I watch my son play hockey. (Alternatively, I come to this board and eat my own foot.) Well, I don't eat chocolate anymore (except those organic cacao nibs), but I do the rest of this too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aelwydd Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Well, I don't eat chocolate anymore (except those organic cacao nibs), but I do the rest of this too. Now, I wouldn't say "no" to some organic cacao. I believe in keeping an open mind (and palate). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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