burn out

[dsr13]

Hi, I am new to this community and I am writing because I'm feeling overwhelmed. My son is 13 months old and I just feel so burnt out at the end of the day. My husband usually works very late so I am alone much of the time. I find myself losing patience especially while trying to nurse my son down for naps or bedtime. He moves constantly and it's exhausting. I think I just need some support.

[Leatherette]

Sorry you are having a hard time right now. For me, the best thing was making friends and making plans with them even when it felt awkward. It was hard (I was shy), but I just kept walking up to people and trying to make a connection. I invited another stressed-out mom to my house for dinner when both of our husbands were working late. We didn't know each other that well, but after that dinner we did. I try to make playdates in the late afternoon, as that can be real burn-out time.

On-line communities helped me too, but they can become an obsession........

Go to finding your tribe for MDC moms in your area.

Best of luck,

L.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Hi, maybe you should look for a La Leche League in your area. Maybe at the meetings you could make some friends to have playdates with. You could also take your ds to the park and maybe meet some people there. Also, I don't know what type of community you live in, but I live in a relatively small town and I take dd to an awesome preschool co-op. She is in class for 2 hours and I'm in the parents' room with the other parents and babies under a year. We have speakers and social time. It provides a nice opportunity to hang out with other parents. Maybe you could look into something like that. I know how you feel though, because I feel like that too sometimes. I usually put dd in her stroller and walk a couple of miles when I start feeling overwhelmed. It really helps temendously to get out into the fresh air and sunshine.

[darkstar]

Hey mama... I know how you feel. Wow it is overwhelming still. I have a 2 year old DD. I too live in Chicago. Would be up to hanging out, letting you get some rest. Mabey we could go to the park while the weather is still nice. Let me know. There are 4 LaLeche leage meeting in Chicago, look them up on their web site.
Peace
Sarah

[USAmma]

Sounds like you need some support from other mommies. I'm sorry you are feeling burned out. I think we've all been there. What helped me a lot was to make an effort to get dd to bed at a decent hour so that I could have some ME-time to recharge. I also grab me-time where I can. Like when she's taking a bath I sit on the toilet seat and read a novel (of course with one eye on her). I also read when putting her to sleep with my book light.

Darshani

[jeca]

I think burnn out is pretty normal at this stage. Your son has hit a milestone and it's running you like crazy. I have a 6 month old, a 2 year old and a 6 year old so I definitly know burn out. Lately I have been doing yoga when DS at school and the girls are napping and I feel it has done wonders for me. If you can squeeze some in during his naps even though I know you are tired I think it may help. also don't forget to eat right.

try to find anything you can do to make you feel more relaxed.

[Piglet68]

Hello, dsr13, and welcome to Mothering!




I'm sorry you're feeling burnt out. I think you'll find from the other mamas here that it's pretty common. There have been some great suggestions so far. Do check out the Finding Your Tribe forum, under "Tribal Areas" and look for Illinois. Also you might want to check out our Toddler forum for ideas on how to cope with an active toddler!

[oatmeal]

hey new mama

So know how you feel. So there still at 20 months.

When it gets really hard I recommend going back to the "nap when they nap" strategy. Rest. Take a hot bath.

See if you can get a person to clean your house for two weeks or something. Or get a sitter once a week to go out on a self-date - just to recharge. I now sometimes $ is tough but you won't believe how much of a mental difference it makes.

Someday they will be grown and gone. When it's taking me to the limit of sanity I try to focus on her cheeks or her tiny little toes and let everything go. It's tough.

[wemberly]

I just wanted to mention that there is an active community of hip, wonderful families in Chicago (I am a recent transplant). if you do a search for the hipfamily yahoogroup, it should pop up. There are lots of get-togethers, and lots of mamas with really little kids, so you'll be in good company.