I Feel Like I'm Losing My Mind!!!

[KermitII63]

My DS is 11 months old and is teething something awful. Nights are really restless, naps during the day are not predictable anymore, and I feel like I'm losing it. Today I went to my DH's work, handed him our son and told him I felt like leaving town. I feel so scared that this feeling to fly the coup is welling up in me...I'm with DS all the time, wear him still (not crawling yet) and I'm living off the grid with no washer, so I'm washing diapers by hand every day, cooking everything from scratch, etc. I feel so worn down and I'm looking for good suggestions of how to keep being the mom I want to be without sacrificing ALL my self-care in the process. I've tried switching spots in the bed with DH but the babe wakes up screaming if he can't nurse all night long. Please let me know if there are any hints or bits of advice you can throw my way. Thanks in advance!

[Adaline'sMama]

Does your baby like to be outside? Living in the country, I've found that one of the best things I can do for myself is to take the baby outside and put her under a tree on a blanket with a towel under her naked but and let her kick and get distracted by all the branches moving. Ill drink a good beer while she's doing this and I sort of feel like I live in a grown up world while we are out there. I find this a great way to keep her cool too, as we have no AC and its quite warm in the house after I've been cooking.

[toughcookie]

i admire you for living off the grid, first-off. i'd love to do that but know that i would lose it without a washing machine.

as for your baby: did you see the posting here (i saw it yesterday and this morning on the front page of this forum, so it is not far from the front) on teething and the homeopathic remedy so many moms are using? my LO is not teething yet, but i bookmarked this forum so that when i need to go get this stuff, i can -- i need as much sleep as i can get, and i feel like if he is in pain, it's okay to give to him to help HIM out too. i don't like giving him meds, but ya know, if everyone is suffering? yeah, i will. it sounds like this could help you.

as for your husband: did he react like that was a cry for help from you? because it was, wasn't it? i'm no psychologist, but it sounds like this is almost more about your relationship with him than your baby's teething. does he now recognize that you are TOTALLY.BURNT.OUT? has he told you he'll try to relieve you more, to give you a chance to get a shower, get a nap, put on some lotion, brush your hair, and feel more like a woman than just a needed mom? i find when i have "issues" with my DH leading to me saying "i'm outta here!" it is often about us, and a breakdown in communication, not about the baby, really. babies take so much work. i have no idea how any woman raises one alone (truly without help), but i for one could not. not wanting to get too personal, but is love life suffering? babyhood kinda impinges on that, especially if you co-sleep, and for us, at least, that makes us grow apart. we have scheduled stay-in dates when we put the baby down in his crib with whatever aid we need (sound machine, pacifier, stuffed animal, etc) and get in the shower, then right into bed before he wakes up. the next day, presto, EVERYTHING SEEMS BRIGHTER, EASIER.

you're not alone - this is such a great community for support (and empathy)!

[cocoanib]

Hi Mama,
I know your'e off the grid, but is there any friends or family that can drive out to be with you for awhile? Help you with babes and things around the house? Sometimes a couple days of adult help and company can help tons!

Also, I agree with the previous poster. Get outside and get some sun and fresh air.
Sometimes if DD is fussy or just seems bored, I will put her in the sling and we go out walking with the dogs. Sit for awhile and stare at the dogs, trees, feel the breeze...
It does her and I a world of good.