Sanity

[Eleni's Mum]

Hi Mums,
I wanted to send a hello to all the SAHMs and get some feed back on how you maintain your sanity. Don't get me wrong I love being a SAHM but there are some days when I feel so isolated and out of touch. My dh, dd and I moved from NSW just afer my dd was born. My immediate family are interstate and so are my friends. The couple of pepole I do know work. We're on a tight budget so paying to attend groups is out of the question. Any suggestions are cheerfully accepted. :confused:

[breebreesmum]

I think I know how you feel. I find just getting out of the house helps heeps. Going for a walk to the shops even just to buy a couple of things, going to bigger shops (Westfield) where there is a plaything for the kids is a great break and it is easy to talk to other mums (carers) there. Also, I never realised how many parks there are around Brisbane with kids playgrounds in them until a few months ago. Also, I go to a playgroup once a week. It is very cheap ($2.50) for a couple of hours. You meet different people every week, and it is great interaction for the kids. Check out where your local one is, they meet in halls, church halls etc.

Sue
Breanna (18mths) :)

[Lachlan's Mum]

Hi all

I agree that getting out of the house (even to the shops) does help...but am also torn between feeling guilty if I "drag" Lachlan around every day...I try and have at least 1 or 2 days at home and spend quality time with him (reading, playing on the floor etc) and also try and get his sleep patterns under control (well as best you ever can ;) ) But I do find that I'll go out just to get a few things....rather than do a big shop (as big shops are hard with a pram) and this means I always have something to do.

Anyway, what I really wanted to say was...use this forum! :) I find it a great sanity saver to read that other mums have the same problems and experiences and you then feel like you are not alone (or weird) or doing "something wrong". Everyone thinks their bub is the only one who doesn't sleep, eat etc. (so you think it is your fault) until you read that these things are normal! ;)

[Miss_Vicki]

Hi , i have a 4 in Dec little girl that loves to go out , usally allways goinsomeone or somethin till like 6 months ago i started her at day care again , goin 4 days a weeks an she usally loves it but she wouldnt go today actully wanted to just stay home with me.
Anyways gettin to this age of preschool i find they are keepin ocupied an its us Mums that need something to do , Been a single mum i find makes it more of a strugle to try an find the energy to try an get a job plus doin all the at home things that its very hard to find a medium,
I wish they had more hobbie things around , like actuly drawin classes or crafty type things that are not goin to cost a arm an a leg either

What do u other single mums do to keep your self ocupied durring the day when your toddler is at kindy/pre school? :o

[H&B'sMum]

I agree it is really important to maintain your sanity. I thought before I had Harry and was still working that being at home for the rest of the year would drive me bonkers. But I have loved being at home. I maintain a balance by trying to have may be one or two things on each week and have a day at home in between. This allows both Harry and myself to have a relaxing day at home and Harry can still maintain his routine but we are getting out during the week and staying in touch with the rest of the world. If you don't want to pay for a playgroup try a mother's group. With my mother's group it doesn't cost anything and we go around to each other's house for each meeting. We meet once a fortnight and whoever's turn it is to host provides a small morning tea. This means depending on how many mother there are in the group you are only paying for morning tea once every couple of months. Even going for a walk around the block can help. I think it sometimes can do more good for your mind if you know you are getting out of the house rather than actuaaly doing it (does that make sense to anyone else but me!!!!!!). This forum is also great for treating bordom. Hope all the suggestions work.

[lily'smum]

Hi!

I absolutely LOVE being a mum :p , but I can't say I feel the same way about being "a housewife". :( I mean come on - there's only so much cleaning and ironing you can do to keep yourself busy before you just don't feel like it any more!

I'm finding it really hard because I've moved from the country to the city 4 years ago so most of my friends aren't nearby. (The phone bill's a killer!) I've joined a playgroup, toy library and swimming classes just so Lily and I can both have that interaction with other people, but sometimes you do need to stay home for them to just relax...

I think you can see you're not alone - we all feel that way to some degree, so stay strong!

[Eleni's Mum]

Being new to the whole chat room thing I never realised how excellent it can be. To know you're normal to feel comfortable to share your feelings and know people really are listening. Thanks for all your encouragement, it means a lot. :)