Dealing with burn out

[kittywitty]

I am soooo burned out by everything right now. Anyone have advice? Books? Articles?

For the first time, recently I am just not happy being a mom or homeschooler or SAHM or just about anything. I am depressed and just feel lost like I don't even know where to begin. I need to clean the house but I'm overwhelmed at the thought and just bitter about it.

[proudmomof4]

I hear you - I've been to similar destinations along the road, I think.

It sounds like you're in need of a recharge. If I've read it right you're a mother "to a bunch", you're pregnant, and you're homeschooling. That sounds like you have quite a lot to handle over the course of one day, with little opportunity for breaks.

Suggestions:

- Remember "If Mom ain't happy ain't nobody happy." - put your own oxygen mask on first before you try to assist others. Do you have your basic needs covered? In other words: are you getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating nutritious food, getting some exercise and some breaks? Do you get regular adult conversation - beyond "how was your day, honey?" That might sound like a massive list now but if you try to work at one step at a time you'll get there. It's not "selfish" but responsible to take care of yourself!
- "Mother Nurture" (book from the LLL catalogue) has helped me to get back on track - a couple of times.
- If you feel overwhelmed by household tasks do you think it could help you to streamline, organize, and delegate a few things? (I find these helpful: www.flylady.net or www.organizedhome.com.)

I'm sending you lots of good thoughts!

[kristenok18]

I am in the same place. I just don't have the energy or motivation to do anything anymore. I don't feel up to cooking anymore, the house is a disaster, I'm so overwhelmed I don't know where to start, and every time I think I'm making a dent it snowballs again.

I wish I had some advice, but I'm feeling desperate to climb out of this funk and don't have the foggiest idea how.

[kittywitty]

kristenok18-I feel the same way. It's kind of surreal. I want to get out of it, I just can't. I feel like I'm drowning almost.

Thank you, proudmomof4. I ILLed that book from the library though it will be a few weeks before I get it. I have Motivated Moms, flylady overwhelms me. I just need to actually DO what's on the list. I have a problem with missing a day-like starting Tuesday and then getting all OCD because I didn't do the stuff the day before and feeling like I'm *more* behind and not liking marks all over my paper. So I give up. I can't win!

[FallingLeaves]

kittywitty and kristenok18 - I am in the same exact place too. I'm overwhelmed and just don't know where to start either. The dishes are never caught up, the laundry is never caught up, every room in the house is a disaster. I hate to cook, I'm always late.....and I feel awful that this is what my girls are going to remember from their childhood. I'm sorry that I don't have any advice but I know how you feel. Maybe the three of us could be a support system to each other. Maybe together we can figure out something to get ourselves where we want to be.

[Lady Mayapple]

Move some of your words around, and you come out with "Not happy being JUST a mom". What inspires you? What really gets you going? If you're not doing it, then start! Soon! Being a mom is only one small part of who you are. Don't let the other parts of you disappear. You are worth it!