Not been a great SAHM

[shockinamillion]

I have been pretty depressed the past few months and have been doing eveything that needs to be done for the kids, but not really much extra, they have not know much outside mums house for 2 months. We had to stay in a motel for a couple of weeks while househunting (GOT A HOUSE) and they LOVED going out in the pram or to the park, or just to the shops. Their day consisted of playing in the play area with the TV on ABC2, meals, playing with me a little at mealtime when I was having a good day, and playing with Nanny and Poppy before bed. They have started saying new words and climbing and laughing heaps since our few weeks going out all the time. I would like to keep that up.

What do you do with your kids? What is you average day like. We will be getting back into a routine of sorts by the end of next week and I would really like to start adding some activities and things to their day, other that toys in the playpen and TV, they play really well alone, but are rather clingy with me now, I figure if we get busy and play they will know that I am back.

I feel rather guilty about it, but I cannot change it now, only make up for it. Depression is nasty, I did not realise how much it could affect them until I started to see how far behind other kiddies they are falling.:gloomy: I am also seeing my doctor to get me help, but moving will do that too, I will have some more social interaction and DF back and my house not sharing!

[mum2bubba]

Here's the routine:

Monday: Skye and Nathan go to occasional care 9:30am to 12:30pm. Every second Monday Hayley goes to speech pathology (I still put Nathan and Skye in oc though even when Hayley doesn't go to speech because I figure I have to pay anyway). If I don't have Hayley at speech we either go out to the shops or maybe catch up with some friends at a play center or at their house (or mine) for morning tea. Monday afternoons Hayley has kinder 1pm to 4:30. I spend some time with Nathan and Skye (though probably more with Skye cos Nathan has his afternoon nap around 1pm to 3pm). Some days I might catch up with my sister, she doesn't work Mondays.

Tuesdays: Tuesdays are free days, which means we don't have to be anywhere or do anything, but sometimes I might take the kids to the library for story time and art and craft activities (and to borrow/return books) or if it's a nice day we might go to the park or walk to the shopping center (15-20 minute walk) or catch up with friends.

Wednesdays: Hayley has kinder 8:30 to 12:15, after I drop her off if it's not raining I might walk with Nathan and Skye (they sit in the pram) up to the shops or might just go home or catch up with friends (or housework).

Thursdays: Hayley has kinder again, same hours as Wednesdays and Nathan and Skye go to occasional care 9:30 to 12:30 so I get a few hours to myself. Some days I might just stay home and catch up on housework or might go into the shops or whatever.

Fridays; We have playgroup 9:30 to 11:30 and sometimes might go to the library or see friends.

So yeah, my life is boring. lmao. I try and get out of the house every day cos I hate staying home.

[JabberJaw]

6.30 up and at em' play/cuddle/read/tv
7.30 breakfast
8.00 older kids go to school on bus
8-12We do various things (clean up, cook, go to shops, visit friend, go to park, feed chooks, potter in the garden)

Lunch

Nap 1.oo-2.30

Play till kids come home from school and daddy get home from work (3ish)

Snack and play outside with older kids!

4.45 i go to work so dad does dinner by 5.15 then bath,tv and bed by 7.

On weekends life is a little different, its usually pretty busy and includes at least one activity for the kids like down to the park to ride scooters, swimming, or visiting friends with kids.


Me and bub dont always leave the house during the week, but if i am cleaning i involve her she might 'help' vaccum or pass pegs or help me weed the veggie patch. on days we go to the supermarket we usually have a stop at the bakery and have a nice cold drink and share a sausage roll :) Sometimes we go to the mainland, but thats usually hectic and DD3 does not enjoy it at all.

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

our routine: <br />
monday the girls have crèche in the morning for 3 hours, my only time to myself. <br />
Tue we have a supported playgroup, volunteers help with the kids. <br />
Wed morn we have a toddler music class, just started recently, very reasonably priced otherwise couldn't do it! <br />
Thu morn another playgroup which is just ok, considering dropping it but can't decide what else to do!<br />
fri is free day at the mo <br />
early arvo is still nap
time for ed2 pm we are always home. most afternoons we go for a walk or stay home<br />
<br />
For me getting out of the house is key to getting through the day. I had moderate depression since dd2 was born 18m ago, i found one thing that really worked for me, the tue playgroup, and from there things just gradually improved. Just having that one positive thing in my week made a huge mental difference. I have also used natural therapy to help get myself better. I do other things too like try new playgrounds, story time at the library, arrange playdates... It was very hard last year cos lets face it with depression the last thing you feel like doing is getting 'out there', i'm not sure how severe yours is Op but like i said, i found one place i felt safe and that helped immensely. Not sure if that is the answer you were looking for but there it is anyway <img src="images/smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0" alt="" title="rolleyes" smilieid="59" class="inlineimg" />

[Merla]

We try and get out 5 out of 7 days a week. Our normal week goes like this. Were home by 1230 for naps

Monday : HMA (home midwifery association meeting) lots of kids to play with and adults for me.

Tuesday: Kindergym

Wednesday: Playgroup in the park

Thursday: ABA (australian breastfeeding association meeting)

Fridays: Often we go visit a friend, go to a playgroup or just have a quiet day, maybe a trip to the park in the arvo.

Saturday: head to the markets with FIL in the morning, park in the arvo with daddy

Sunday: Usually a home day, sometimes FIL will take DD up to visit his parents for a half day, or we go to the park in the arvo.

I try and get out of the house most days, I do my grocery shopping in the afternoon after naps on whatever days I feel like it, same with housework etc. We try and get to the park 2-3 times a week if possible, she loves the park. I also go to the gym 3-5 times a week in the evenings so she goes to creche for an hour (she really enjoys that too).

We live a pretty busy life, but I go stir crazy if we don't go out. Even if its only a walk to the park for an hour it keeps us all sane.