Overwhelmed SAHM
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Overwhelmed SAHM
| Thu, 10-05-2006 - 2:23pm |
Hey!
I'm a SAHM with a 16 month old son who is very high energy. I'm expecting another boy around Christmas. They will be about 18 months apart. I'm feeling overwhelmed about having two so close together and juggling the responsibilities of a newborn and toddler. Any suggestions about what I can do to not feel so overwhelmed all the time?
Thanks,
Mandy
I'm a SAHM with a 16 month old son who is very high energy. I'm expecting another boy around Christmas. They will be about 18 months apart. I'm feeling overwhelmed about having two so close together and juggling the responsibilities of a newborn and toddler. Any suggestions about what I can do to not feel so overwhelmed all the time?
Thanks,
Mandy

Oh gosh you are so not alone. When I was pregnant with Christopher I had the same panicky feelings, and my older child was almost 5!! It's terrifying to imagine how it'll all get done. More terrifying still to realize it can't all get done. Eh, that's mommyhood. You've figured by now that you have to deligate, prioritize, and just let the petty insignificant-in-the-grand-scheme-of-things stuff go. We've all been where you are, so there's solice in that. Not much I know but misery loves company, right?! lol
To destress and calm down, tell your DH that you're going to get a prenatal massage. Or go get a manicure, or better yet a pedicure. Even if you haven't seen your feet since Lord knows when it's nice to know they look pretty. Or just go for a walk. It's the same for after you have the baby. Mommy's need a break occasionally to just take a nap even.
Sure it's hard, but the best things in life never come easy. And, luck us, there's this board! Full of ladies who've BTDT, have advice and a ear to listen (or eyeball as the online case may be).
Welcome to the SAHM board! I'm Kate, with two kidlets of my own. Christopher will be one on the 10th, and Caroline is almost 6. Hope to see you post regularly!
(((((Mandy))))) I'm sorry you're in such a tough place! I definitely echo everything Kate said, though. :) Probably the best way to feel less overwhelmed is to let a lot go (realize and accept that the house won't be real neat, and you can't do all your cleaning in one day, etc), and to get Mommy Time!!! That's probably the most important: Mommy Time! And don't wait until you can't take it anymore. Make sure you get some time consistently, so you're not desperate and strung out by the time you get it, if you can help it. :) (I'm at the "desperate" point, but I've got some scheduled for tomorrow.)
Something else that might help make this transition smoother is to help your son adjust to a new baby. You're probably already preparing him, so that won't be new. What helped with us was to let Aryc (3) prepare for Nate (1)