Do you notice how stress overwhelms you

I do. I stay at home, have 3 girls who depend on me, a husband who is gone most of the time so I can't rely on him. I now have a new puppy that has been driving me nuts and on top of that a cat who does not get along with the puppy. I pay all of the bills, run around town for everything and take care of having the house picked up. Let me tell you, the dishes are done, the bathrooms are clean, but there is stuff lying all around the house. I get the girls to help me but they are not obedient, they forget, get distracted and I hate to always be the one who disciplines all the time. Ok, I'll say it, my life is hard. I get so overwhelmed I hide out in my bedroom. I let the house go and must still keep up with the pets. My bipolar just doesn't help that I must take care of all this. I love my kids very much, but at times even them and their extracurricular activities are too much for me. I feel such a need for things to be easy. Being a mom is hard work. There I said it. I cannot do it all.

Many hugs

It sounds like you have an awful lot on your plate with everything and that you work really hard. This would be difficult for anyone I would imagine and if you add MI into it then that makes things even worse. I have to say I think it sounds like you are doing an amazing job with it all. Do you think you could explain to your family that you are finding things tough and ask for their help?

Please try to get some "you" time

More hugs

Cracked

I think being a full time mom to 3 girls and a couple pets is extremely challenging.
As a dad, the few times I took over for a day or two were a real eye opener.

You do need a break, and something that is more creative and stress relieving than just hiding in your room.

Are you familiar with the local churches in your community? Some churches have mid week "Moms and Kids" time. The mom hands the children to a responsible adult, and then has time with the other mothers. I understand that having the kids out of your hair for just an hour is a big relief and knowing you are not alone in your struggle helps too.
Check it out. If it is good, then great. If the church use it as an opportunity to spread their dogma, then run as fast as you can in the other direction.

Two messages then:
We understand here, and even though we can do little more than offer empathy, we do sincerely understand and care about you.

See if you can find something suitable in your community to give yourself a break once or twice a week for a couple of hours. you deserve that.

Take care,

Thank you to the both of you, CrackedGirl and Skilsaw. I wrote this out because I felt the need, not for a pity party, but for the actual need of understanding. I know others here go through their own problems and they are huge. I have daily living and dealing with the bipolar especially when it gets wacky and then all this. I have to be this "perfectly put together" person in my own home. I say forget it. Our house will be "our house."

When i am overwhelmed with stress, i find solace in prayer. I commend you on your efforts, you are definitely a hard working woman

Hi bipolarmusician,
You make a good comment, meaning the comment about prayer. I have been praying more now than before. I am catholic. I've been angry at everyone including God and I realize it's not just me, it's beyond me, some of it. But thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it.

I don't know how you manage. I chose to not have children because the stress of my career was so high and I knew I'd never be able to pull it together enough to take care of others when I was barely hanging on myself. I didn't even get married for the same reason. Sounds like you're doing a great job holding things together and managing a home. I agree with the others that suggest you find a way to get a break a couple of times each week if possible. At least a couple of times. I'd need way more.

Caribee4me,
Some days I have to cop out, I really cannot manage. I do stay at home so I can get away with that. Making dinner a lot of times takes it's toll on me. I wish I had help. My 14 year old helps with dishes but only so much she is very slow and not that good at it yet. There is a post I wrote recently about my niece having her first baby and comparing it to what I had to experience in deep contrast. If I knew what I know now I would never have married nor had any children. But I did and it's not easy some days but I do find much joy in it most days. Especially now that I am stable.

quietgirl2538 wrote:Hi bipolarmusician,
You make a good comment, meaning the comment about prayer. I have been praying more now than before. I am catholic. I've been angry at everyone including God and I realize it's not just me, it's beyond me, some of it. But thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it.

Yeah, i pray quite a bit more when i am stressed as well. lol i can definitely empathize with the being mad at God thing. But i am a firm believer of blessings in disguise

And you are very welcome