Any Stay at Home MOMS??? - Women's Health Message Board

TayTay06 · 06-21-2007, 01:35 PM

Just wondering if there are any stay at home moms out there who have some advice. Deeling with depression but I think it is more than pp depression. I have a 9 month old daughter whom I love more than anything but staying home with her is very hard. Without sounding like a terrible mother, I miss my old life. The come and go whenever I want....freedom. I feel so trapped and isolated I dont know what to do. I love her so much....shouldnt that be enough??? What is wrong with me?

lrmctexas · 06-21-2007, 02:27 PM

Being a SAHM can make you feel extremely isolated. The best advice I can give is to try to get out, go to the park, join a moms group, or maybe take your little one to storytime at the library. You also need to take some time for yourself every once in a while. Try to find a group that interests you, such as a knitting group or a book group at the library.

Being a SAHM is rougher than I ever thought it would be but it does get a little easier as they get older and more independent.

Suzi Q · 06-21-2007, 02:32 PM

I completely understand. I felt the same way. It was a really hard adjustment for me to be a mom and lose all my freedom, sleep, outside work and I didn't feel as pretty anymore. I loved being a mom but, like you said, I really missed the old life. I found that getting out of the house and making sure I still did things for myself helped a lot for me. Here are some of the things that I did:

-go for a walk with the baby in the stroller
-go shopping at the mall or where ever
-rent a movie, that wasn't child oriented
-give myself a pedicure or manicure....while the baby slept
-write in a diary/journal, it helped me to get through my feelings
-have a picnic on the grass and let the baby crawl around
-have a play date with another mom

good luck

mommaoftwinsplus1 · 06-22-2007, 02:11 AM

TayTay...it gets better. After I had my first daughter I felt the same. And then I had Twin girls...now my 1st daughter is 6, and the twins are 3, and I can honestly look back and say that all the 'sacrifices' are well worth it! Motherhood can be very difficult. But as time goes on, you adjust. I am now dealing with my Twins climbing onto the dining room table, hanging from the chandalier! Just be a proud mama!

brook65 · 06-22-2007, 05:44 AM

When my son was very little, I joined a couple of mother and toddler groups. It's great you make new friends whilst the little ones can saftly play.

Also like others have said make your own entertainment, packing up a picnic is a simple cheap option.

I think having a baby and then staying at home, it is natural to mourn your old life, but think back and something was missing then - your child.

Its a huge lifestyle change, but you will adapt, just don't become reclusive by staying in all the time.

Good luck