Stress

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Stress
12
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 10:43am

I can't even really explain why since they are all doing pretty well, but since school started I have been in a constant state of stress and anxiety. I am not sleeping well, having dreams about autism. Have a slightly nauseaus, headache and tight feeling in my chest all day. I am trying to get extra exercise, do some meditation and take extra omega's. God it has to help soon or I will never make it through this school year.

I think it must just be the start of school. I now officially have 3 on IEP's in regular school, one in middle school and we are looking at mainstreaming Mike again soon. The kids are all doing pretty good. Dave and Mike are doing great. Mike always does really well the first few weeks so I am only cautiously optomistic. Cait definitely is having her issues in middle school but all in all is doing as well as I could have hoped and her aide is right there to help and is really good. I have to be up at 5:30 for Cait and spend the next 4 hours in state of getting kids ready and bringing them to school at thier set time. Plus I got roped into the PTA board, volunteering, still finishing house projects, etc and trying to keep the house clean and organized so the kids can keep to thier routine and schedule. And doing homework with them, keeping on top of things. OY!

But I feel like I am constantly waiting for the other shoe to fall. Just needed to vent. If it doesn't go away by the time DH goes back to work next week I am going to make an appointment with my general doctor and make sure nothing is going on and it is just stress. I think I am coming down with something too and that doesn't help.

Oh, and I need to find a way of making some extra money. Our mortgage is adjustable and it adjusted very much badly.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 11:53am

(((HUGS)))) I'm sorry you're having such a stressful time. I have just one with an IEP and I'm having trouble getting to sleep at night. So I can only imagine how you are doing!! The start of school is just so overwhelming, so much to do, so much to keep track of.....and then you also have to deal with the everyday stuff too. Laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, homework....it's just neverending!!!

I think our new house is going to be looking like we just moved in....oh, for probably another year!! LOL At first it was exciting, and something to keep my mind busy with.....but then with school starting, the "worrying" just creeps up on you!!!

Anyway, hope you start feeling better soon. Take time to kick your feet up and rest a bit!!

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 12:01pm

Renee, ((hugs))!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2005
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 12:49pm

Hi, Renee -- first thanks for your reply to my post below. You are always really helpful and I appreciate it. Second, it sounds like you do have a lot on your plate right now and the weight of it is being exacerbated by school starting and your natural and understandable worry about your kids. I tend to take on a lot and then get pretty worked up when it all starts to crash, too. It sounds like it's just an adjustment thing and will ease up once school really gets rolling. But, in the meantime, take care of yourself and try to get some sleep. I know for me that always really helps everything else fall into place. Take care.

Kellie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 2:58pm

You have a ton going on so it is not a surprise that you are stressed! I was tired and stressed for you just reading that. Hopefully things will get better soon. Even though things are going ok in school so far, I think you may be feeling stress because the outcome when they are at school is out of your hands. You do what you can, but in the end you cannot be at school with them making sure things are going well so subconsciously you probably feel like you have a total lack of control. I really hope that things continue to go well at school so you can start to put that worry behind you.

Have you considered refinancing your mortgage to a fixed rate? For the next few years the prime rate will probably be on the rise, and you interest rate could get higher and higher. I had an adjustable rate mortgage and I am now in the process of getting a fixed rate mortgage because rates are so good right now.

Good luck and vent away!!

Marisol

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 3:35pm

renee,

i'm sorry you are so stressed right now! you have so much that you hold together exceptionally well, i don't know how you do it. i am sending you a bottle of cyber wine to enjoy, and your favorite dessert.

valerie

~Valerie
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 5:47pm

(((HUGS))) and I'm slipping you a bottle of cyber wine and a huge box o chocolates! at least those are free! :-)

this time of year stress is out there ready to grab us! The loss of control is one of the worse parts of sending kids off to school and trying to get our kids into a new routine and dealing w/ the fallout of having new teachers. Add all the activities that start up w/ school and money stress-- well I'm surprised the whole world doesn't just stop in it's tracks from all the stress!

So far so good here, but I haven't added all the choir and orchestra stuff to the mix yet. I'm anticipating exhaustion next week! I don't know how but I also feel like I need to find a part time job as money has been REALLY tight and if I want to have the kids continue their various activities we'll have to do something.

Betsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 11:24pm

Marisol,

Well, can't re-fi for at least another year. Only way we could afford a house on one teacher salary in S. cali is to do a ultra low rate adjustable with a maximum amount it could go up each year. We have over 20% equity in the house and an equity line that will cover my tuition and the extra for the next year. I have decided to renew my credential and get my california special ed credential and go back to work for next year. If I work for our district I will have the same breaks and hours as the kids.

That was a big stress reliever. I learned today that my expired credential is not a worthless piece of paper. I should easily get my regular ed credential renewed with a class or 2 and then in about a year I can have my sped credential. Plus I will likely be able to work in the mean time in either an internship program or on an emergency credential.

Thanks for the ideas though.
Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 11:31pm

Thank you guys. I am sitting here sipping my cyber wine and eating my chocolate. YUMMY! Oh, let me go pour me another glass. brb.

Ok, well my stress is a bit better tonight. Cait is going to get buried under that homework load though. We had respite tonight and she was supposed to do it while I was gone, but she didn't remember what she was supposed to do and again it was written in a bunch of different places. I tried to get her to do it when I got home, but no way it was all going to get done.

Oh, but on the stress. First, had respite and dinner out. That helped but big stress relief was on a job prospect. Talking to DH today I found out my old California teaching credential is good for more than starting a fire. It expired 9 years ago, but there is still record with the state and I have a couple things to do to update it. Then I can get my special ed credential.

So this week I am going to apply to the state university for thier credential program and begin going back to school to get a current credential. It is also likely that I will be able to go back to work at least part time within the year to teach at least on an intern or emergency credential level until I get my final credential.

Honest, aside from the extra income we haven't had in 6 years it will be nice to have an outlet. I am actually thinking early intervention. I always loved the little ones and that way it is completely different than what I am doing at home.

That is my update.
Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Thu, 08-25-2005 - 1:49pm

WOOOHOOOOO! that all sounds so great! the dinner, the respite and having an attainable goal to work for.

I'm looking into getting my teachers cert here in SC they are in a teacher shortage. All the districts around are looking for teachers. I don't know yet how many classes I'll have to take so I might not be able to start this year. I've been at home for almost 13 yrs (I've had 2 part time jobs in there) so going back into the job arena is very scary to me!

Betsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Thu, 08-25-2005 - 4:59pm

Betsy,

Sometimes I think you are my east coast twin. I haven't worked in 6 years and it is daunting to me too. Overwhelming in fact. But here we go.

I have contacted the local state university and am trying to set up an appointment with an advisor so I know what I have to take and what hoops to jump through. I am thinking I may enter the internship program meaning I will likely start in the spring or next fall but I will be able to work while completing my credential.

I am also looking into subbing. I can do that now easily enough but it is hard to plan around kids and childcare when you don't know when you will be needed.

It will be an adventure. What do you teach BTW? I have my k-12 multiple subjects which basically means your basic elementary teacher. I had an emergency special ed cred in Massachusetts years ago but that expired too. I have only ever taught special ed.

I am actually considering being a resource specialist. I am good at organizing, paperwork and tutoring. Plus I think that there is a definite shortage of good RSP's that can do more than LD's. There is such a need for a good one with the amount of kids with ASD's being included/mainstreamed. I would like to help kids with ASD's be successful in mainsteram classes I do think.

Renee

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