Help

[Mum_of_young_ones]

I’m a mum of three very small children and I am struggling to stay afloat so much pressure from the and life money covid time everything is bringing me down. How do I turn the tides be better for them? Instead of just feeling like they would be better without me

[Sophie_M]

Hi Mum of young one's,

We’re sorry to hear how you’re feeling. It is an incredibly difficult time, especially for parents, during covid, and we’re really glad you came here to share how you’re feeling and what you’re going through.

We are reaching out to you privately to check in and see that you are safe. If at anytime you do feel unsafe, please call 000 straight away.

It is so good that you want to be the best you can for your children, but we don’t want you to feel under pressure. We’re here for you 24/7, you can always call us to talk through these feelings on 1300 22 4636. Alternatively, you could call our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Line on 1800 512 348. 

Thank you for joining us on the forums and for showing the courage to post here today. You never know who will see this post and feel less alone in their own experience. 

Kind regards, 
Sophie M
 

[james1]

Hello Mum of young ones

Welcome to the forums, and I'm really sorry to hear you've been feeling so down. It's totally understandable - I do not have any kids and I find it hard enough to just help any friends and family, while staying healthy myself. It's a really tough time.

Do you have any close friends or family you could speak to or just check in with? There are lots of people who feel the same way right now, and unfortunately, these situations often cause us to withdraw from people and feel really alone in our problems. Often, reaching out as you're doing with us here, can be really helpful just to talk things out, and it could even be helpful for the other person too.

James

[Petal22]

Hi mum of young ones,

Wellcome to our forums…

Sorry you are feeling this way I understand it must be difficult for you…

Turning the tides….I’m sure your a great mum! Try reading positive affirmations, getting out to exercise in the restricted time you have……

I know it’s hard when they are young but your one of the most important people in their life….

hang in there, here to chat

[geoff]

Hello Mum of young ones, and can I join the others in welcoming you to the forums.

The lockdown we will look back on in a few years and understand why this had to happen, while now, being stuck in the middle of it is certainly no joy at all, it affects all of us and realise that being home with three small children is not the same as school holidays if they are at that stage, but it still does restrict you and feel very sorry to you.

If you were at the stage of feeling a heavy workload at home before this lockdown, then it's possible it may lead to some type of depression, not that I'm a qualified doctor but know all the family pressures are able to cause this and the demands of the children seem to be overly tiring as well as demanding.

The trouble may be is that we focus on the presence, and that's not too difficult to do, but plan any activities on how you will be able and allowed to seek the help you need as well as asking for assistance.

Next week will be different.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[therising]

Hi Mum of young ones

It's easy to see you're a wonderful mum; you're searching to make a difference for yourself and your kids. Wonder is a sign of natural brilliance, some natural light in you recognising the need to evolve beyond what brings you down. I'm glad that light has guided you here.

I feel the need to say 'Don't undersell yourself'. COVID, parenting, money, life in general and mental health are all major challenges and major triggers. While we might be able to tolerate the challenges that come with these, at some point we can easily be facing a level of intolerance that leads to the question 'How do I get through this?'

As a mum, someone who managed a household on one wage before I went back to work only a few years ago and someone who faced mental health challenges (depression) up until some time ago, I think COVID would have really triggered me if you'd thrown it into the mix of raising a young family. It's amazing how a lack can become mind altering. Wondering if you can relate:

• You can be doing your best to raise your kids through a lack of help and parenting skills. Of course, our own parents pass onto us what they know about parenting, with not all of it being good, such as 'Life and parenting are tough. Suck it up and get on with things'. A more productive mantra, 'Life and parenting are challenging. Don't suck up anything that's going to bring you down. Instead, seek to make sense of it'
• You can be doing your best to raise your self through a lack of self understanding. We are such incredibly complex creatures. Think about every specialist on the planet, that's how complex we are. There are specialists for all parts of the body and its systems, for our chemistry, for the mind and even for the soul in various ways. How much do we know compared to them? There is much to learn
• You can be doing your best to raise yourself through a lack of freedom, due to COVID lock downs. The lack of freedom to seek excitement, adventure and so on can mess with us. Freedom away from the media is so important for mental health. The media can trigger a perspective of doom, gloom and fear, bringing us down
• You can be doing your best to raise yourself through a lack of financial opportunity. Finding free or cheap resources is a challenge

Personally, I've always found a lack of inspiration to be most impacting. Without inspiration, we may never come to see all the ways in which we are doing our best, under the circumstances.

I can see the best in you 🙂

[wail]

you are my hero