Anyone else feeling like a bad mama?

[Mindi22]

My DS is just about 20 months old. He has so much energy, it just kills me. And right now, I'm so exhausted, I just can't keep up with him. I watch him from the couch, amazed at his boundless enthusiasm for everything from balls to Elmo to doggies. And there should be a special emphasis on the word watch, since that's all I can do most of the time. He wants to run around and be chased and play and right now, it just ain't happening. Luckly, my DH is amazing and wonderful and amazing and wonderful (did I repeat myself? so true, nonetheless!) and he's taking over extra with playing with Bri. I'm so glad that we have my DH, because otherwise, DS would be so sad!

Still, I just want a little bit of energy back so I can connect with my son again... anyone else going through something similar??? Or anyone have great advice?

-Mindi

[bemommy]

Yes, totally. Between being tired, irritable and not really wanting to eat (or even look at food), I'm finding it very difficult to be a good mama.

It's a tough balance between caring for and being present for our little ones as well as taking care of what we need.

I just try to remember that to enjoy this time alone with DD but also cut myself some slack. The fatigue doesn't last forever. . I'll be plenty energetic come the 2nd trimester.

[Wild Flowers]

I went through this with my last pregnancy. I felt horrible. At least a small way to reconnect, reading. My dd would snuggle into my lap, made me feel ill, but hey, right? And we would read. Also doing things on the floor, plaing with blocks, making stories with her animals, things I could do while sitting/laying down. Also, look around if you have any gymborree type things around. Or another class you can do with him. I know you don't feel good, but try to schedule an hour once a week, during a time of day that you feel at least slightly better, or so where you can do something like this with him. I still feel insanely guilty that I wasn't able to do more with my first while I was pregnant. I feel like I missed months with her. And hopefully, you will feel better in a few weeks

[hapahaolegirl]

Yes! I'm watching DD from the couch as well. I did take her for a walk in her wagon to the park yesterday because DH told me to try and get her out of the house. I was completely miserable the entire time though. I only let DD play for maybe 15 minutes before I made her leave kicking and screaming.
Feeding DD is also hard but of course I do it. It's just so hard to look at the food I'm feeding her.
Luckily I have my sis and DH to play with her when they get home so she gets some playtime in.
Your not alone!

[cinnamonamon]

Yup, I remember that with ds1 -- but it actually had a positive effect -- he learned to play by himself happily! Before that I was with him CONSTANTLY -- he had loooooooooooootttttttttssssssssss of direct attention.

It's starting now with this pg, but since they have each other to play with (and fight with : ) it hasn't been so bad. One thing I learned though -- get the sleep your body needs -- the fatigue made me lose my milk more quickly, I think -- as did the stress about not getting the sleep/being lazy by sleeping, etc.

I don't know about your area, but we have a nice play area in our mall (spongy floor & climbing toys) and a great train table & stage/play area at our bookstore (conveniently at the mall as well). I just mall rat it some days & rent the cool stroller for the boys to "drive." The a/c is great.

eta: our library has a nice train table & comfy chairs as well -- and they have puzzles, an activity center cube thingie, and a puppet stage...

[nznats]

Chiming in her I feel like an awful mum, I am so darn tired I cant do much for my daughter she is watching far too much telly at the moment

[LydiaJW]

I was totally that way my last pg. My daughter was born when my son was 20 months old. I was so tired, sick, bleh. How I dealt with it was by taking him to different play areas, like the one at the mall, some junglegyms, etc., where there were lots of kids to play with and I could just sit and watch him. He would run all his energy out and then be ready to just cuddle and read books when we got home. I still tried to play with him when I felt up to it, but that really helped for the awfully tired days.