I’m overwhelmed and stuck in a rut. There are never enough hours in the day but I also find myself wishing the day would hurry up and end.
I don’t want to wish this time away but it can feel so isolating and hard at times. I wake up and there are little kids screaming at me, I drive the car and there are little kids screaming at me, I go to bed at night and there are little kids screaming at me.
I haven’t been eating right for a while, my kids have cereal for dinner SO much more than they should. I don’t exercise and don’t even make it out of the house most days.. and find myself on a constant FB scroll and the TV is on for the kids for the majority of the day.
I feel like a failure, but from the outside no one else would know. I have 4 kids and so many people comment about how calm and “together” I am. They call me a ‘super mum’ etc etc and it’s all such bullshit!
I know I need to make changes…
Is this what anxiety / depression feels like or it this just what being a mum to 4 young kids feels like? I need help!
4 Replies
Hey love. Mum of four kids here. If you are questioning your mental health, its best to seek help. See a GP. Regardless whether its clincal depression, I find a psychologist does wonders to help set goals and get you out of a rut.
Do you work? I had to return to work part time for my own sanity. I needed some time for myself where i didn't have kids screaming, demanding and complaining at me all day. Its made me a better mum having that time away from them.
Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply 🥰
I have a job but I’m currently on maternity leave. I’ll be returning in about 10 weeks and some days I just can’t wait!
I think it’s been worse this mat leave because we have two under 2 and I didn’t return to work between the babies. I’ve been off work since for almost 2.5 years..
Definitely go to your GP for a mental health plan so you can see a psychologist who can help you sort through everything you are feeling.
Do you have a partner? Have a conversation with them. When they get home, you get half an hour or an hour away from the kids. Take that time to go for a walk or even cook dinner uninterrupted. My ex would walk in the door then go and cook dinner or start cleaning everything I hadn’t done that day, instead of sitting down with the kids to give me some time out. Not many people can be with their kids 24/7 without feeling like they are going insane. Can you put the kids in daycare 1 or 2 days a week? It will give you some much needed time out, while also being enjoyable for them.
Mumma of 4 here too. It's tough! I often feel as though I never have a second to myself! I have found that getting outdoors at least once a day is not only great for the kids, but for myself too. Whether it's to a park, playground, beach or even a walk around the block. I suffer from anxiety and what seems to be helping me is exercise. There's plenty of workouts to be found online. Prioritising a 15 minute workout in between everything else definitely leaves me feeling better and having more energy. One of my faves is Dana Langren. Follow her on Instagram for some great low impact workouts.
I limit TV as much as possible and it really improves my children's behaviour. I encourage them to play outside, read books, draw etc You could bake together, craft together etc.
Do see your Gp if you feel like it's something more than being stuck in a rut!