Tulipgirl6's Journal, 30 September 2014

I wish you peace, being able to be in the moment enough to enjoy your beautiful children most of the time, quick healing of your foot, balance in your nutrition and blood sugar, a sense of safety in the world and ease in your day. Breathe deeply, look for what is good even if that is just holding steady. You are motivated or you wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. Maybe just a few upper body exercises will help with feeling better. My best wishes for you J.  

I wish I could help other than support you. I have some new recipes if you'd like them. But alas, some chopping required. 

Do you have family, or neighbors that can help? I know that some people hire a student to watch the baby while they are preparing supper, or getting some work done. Or try to get the baby in daycare a day or two a week. These are my knee jerk comments.  

So sorry you are a little down. It might help to use one day, or two, a week to do mass cutting and chopping. Store in baggies in fridge until ready to use. Plan to use all within the week so you can start fresh on "chopping day". A step further would be to do four or five casseroles on chopping day to freeze or fridge so you can have a quick meal to heat and eat. Sounds like you need a "me" break. Maybe you could do trading play dates with friends or family. One day a week one parent has the kids for a part of the day and the next reverse. I certainly could have used that when I was raising my kids. I would go to work to get a break from the kids and go home to get a break from work :) You need to find what works for you so you won't be so overwhelmed, or "down in the mouth" :). It is a great suggestion of NowIunderstand, though that might be hard on finances. Might do you a world of good. Even if hubby could take the kids for a little "daddy" time once a week. He is a parent too and should enjoy his kids one on one.  

They may sound off, but really proud of you for posting. Venting our frustrations sometimes helps get going again. Once we get it off our chest we can refocus - knowing what we have done and how far we have gone. Above all... you are so blessed to be able to be with your kids at home. Keep it at. and Smile! =) 

Yes, I agree with Teddy, you are blessed to be able to be with your kids at home. You wish you had a job, well you do. You're the caregiver, the nucleus and along with your husband, the one that will make the family thrive. Your role is so important. Much of your children's future lives depends on your nurturing, the ideas that you impart on them, and your validation of their being. I know kids who wouldn't spit on their parents if they were on fire. And, looking how these parents are with their kids, I'm not surprised. We have the kids that we raise. Don't underestimate your role. Value it and that will help you a lot in your daily life. You've got to focus on the prize to get through stuff. And the prize being raising kids that are happy, healthy and will grow up to be your friends and lifelong ally. I could go on, but I'll stop here. I know I can sound a bit preachy. But I speak from experience. I've raised a boy to a man, and he's fine,emotionally stable and well prepared for life. I raised him with purpose in mind.  

Sorry you feel so down. Please take time to enjoy your children. Make good memories. One day before you know it, they will be grown and moved away. My beautiful daughter left this earth at the age of 18. I wish I could enjoy her all over again.  

Reading your journal is like looking into a mirror two years ago. I've been in your shoes. I've felt very similar emotions. Dealing with chronic illness and mysterious food sensitivities isn't an easy road. I've cried, screamed, then cried some more and thrown food across the kitchen filled with anger, resentment and suffering. I'm the first person to admit this isn't an easy process. But it can be more rewarding than your wildest dreams! If you're consistent and dedicated to change, it will happen and you will emerge victorious. Keep your chin up.  

When I had my first three kids, I was totally tired and tearfully mentioned to my husband that I need help with the kids and the housework, "I want to ask my mom to come stay with us and help out for a while." You never saw a man rush so fast to be helpful with vacuuming and buying groceries and doing things so I would get a break. I never did ask my mom to come. He started helping me. :) 

This came across my facebook wall today: "Being a Stay-at-Home Parent Is a Luxury … for Your Spouse" http://www.babble.com/relationships/being-a-stay-at-home-parent-is-a-luxury-for-your-spouse/ 

Aw, Tulip, sorry about the bad day thing. I don't know about motherhood but I was a nanny for several years. It's not easy to stay at home and deal with little ones. Then again, it isn't always a picnic to go to the office and deal with immature brats, either....pros & cons to everything, I guess. BUT, I DO understand about blue days. And for the food sensitivities and diet concerns, a friend just today mentioned SCD (Special Carbohydrates Diet). I've begun looking at the info and it seems to make some sense - especially for people with Crohns or Celiacs or other digestive issues. Maybe worth looking in to for your concerns, too. Despite what marketing causes us to believe, I think there are a large number of people who have special dietary concerns - there's no "normal" eating anymore.... Hope you feel brighter soon.  

I think we can all identify with your "had enough of everything" day, though I've never had to deal with all the problems that you're having at the same time! But I think we all get to the stage when everything seems too much, too difficult, too frustrating. I hope it's just a bad day or two for you and that you're feeling more positive soon. If the feelings hang around, do go and seek professional help. It's no fun battling internal demons on your own. During my long, deep, dark depression, a skill I learned and I still use now is "three good things". No matter how bad your day, you can always find 3 things to be thankful for. Do it every day, as a matter of habit. You might even surprise yourself that the list keeps finding new and original ideas, and you actually have quite a lot of things to be thankful for. You have a foot. You have access to fresh foods. You have access to knowledge about food sensitivities and might one day get on top of the problems they cause. There's three to start you off ... 

Tulip, if I was there I would take the baby for the day and treat you to a day at the spa where you could be pampered. The day would be all about YOU! Talk to someone about your frustrations and dont be afraid to ask for help...you deserve a break and Im sure something can be figured out to help you get through there down feelings. A little "me time" is always helpful. In the present, we are here to offer support. 

I hear what you are saying and I've been there. I wish that when I was younger I knew what I know now as life would have been much more fun. When I cut out grains, esp. wheat, from my diet I was a hundred percent happier and my mood just lifted. Recently I was traveling by bike in Europe and started eating bread every day and my mood became so low before I remembered that wheat did that to me. I cut it our and enjoyed my trip. Diet and mood are very related. There are no healthy grains for some people.  

This too will pass. When I was home with my boys there were many overwhelming days. Always remember this too will pass.