Depressed mommy :(

Put him in a buggy and go for a walk! Exercise will boost those endorphins and you will feel awesome! Plus some super awesome my fitness pals will help you along the way

I'm sorry to hear your feeling down. I didn't have a job for a year and its being at home and feeling down that led to my weight gain. By tracking my food it has made me feel more in control and a bit better. Unfortunately my relationship has just ended so I know what it's like to be a depressed mummy. But we have our children to keep us going and to motivate us. I'm waiting on my ex coming to move his stuff out tomorrow. . . Hoping the 1 benefit will be a bit of weight loss on the heart break diet. Try and take things day by day and keep track of everything and exercise helps to make you feel better and gives you more energy. If like me you can't get to the gym buy workout dvds or invest in a cross trainer etc. Good luck and feel free to add me.

You are cute! And I understand the depressed mommy thing. My son doesn't have special needs but even so, it's very stressful. Like your son, he is doing great in school and that gives me hope. Imagine how much harder it would be if he were struggling in school! You can add me if you want. I also struggle with depression.

i think you look seriously cute in your bikini! i know it means nothing, because it's how YOU feel that matters, but your body is what a lot of women here are aiming for. sure, you can improve on it but don't for one minute think that makes you unattractive.

if it helps, that feeling like you're not quite good enough for what your kids deserve? never goes away! and it's usually the sign of a great parent, that you always strive to do a better job for their sakes.

One thing that will help your depression is exercise. I know. I'm depressed quite a bit. ESPECIALLY when I don't get my exercise in. I love the feel afterwards of getting a work-out in, and it helps improve my mood for the rest of the day. I havn't had a job for over a year now as I quit Walmart in April 2012. I'm looking for a job now, but am being picky about it. I also live an hour away from town and most of my interaction is with my Fiance, and I've come to realize that I NEED interaction with other people.

I wish you luck on your journey, you can do this! If you want someone to talk to or just want help with motivation you can add me

First let me say I think you look awesome in your bikini!!! Second the only advice I can really offer you is to get out and get moving.If you eat well and exercise well your body will find where it is happy at and your mood will naturally improve. I agree with putting kiddo in a stroller and heading out for a nice walk. I too stay at home with my children and I know it's different when they aren't in school. Hearing the teachers report about their progress makes you feel like it is all worth while. Just remember that summer break is just that, a break. As long as your son is happy and enjoying spending his break with his Momma then you are doing a fantastic job!! I didn't become a stay at home mom by choice either and it has taken me over a year to feel like I am contributing more to the family now that I am staying at home than I did when I was working. It's a difficult adjustment to make. Feel free to friend me for some extra support!!

It sounds like you're overwhelmed. My son has just been diagnosed with a chromosome abnormality that causes a lot developmental challenges, so I sort of know how you're feeling (It's not Down Syndrome, it's called 18p deletion, and has some similar characteristics, but not all, of course). I have been blaming myself for his major delays a lot (at almost 2 he doesn't talk and is still really wobbly when he walks). I'm telling you this just so you know you're not alone.

May I suggest you find a support group of some sort - not necessarily anything official, but other parents who have children with disabilities. You're in a new situation as a stay at home mom, and you're dealing with new challenges, and you need people who can tell you it's normal and okay. (BTW it's normal for kids to perform very differently at school than at home, so don't blame yourself or think you're not doing enough).

It sounds like, once you're feeling better about your role as mommy, and feeling less depressed, the weight issues won't be so much of an issue. So please do try to get help (if not a group, maybe a bit of counseling can help - as your doctor for a referral). In the mean time, I agree with katekross that exercise will help you. Take your son on walks and point out what you see (flowers, ducks, whatever), go play at the park, even throw a ball with him - you are doing things that are good for him and good for you, too. Win-win (EDIT - I was typing as you responded to others, I see you are seeing someone. I hope it does help! Give it time )


I'm no expert, but as another mommy dealing with a child with special needs, feel free to mssg me or add me if you want. :flowerforyou:

You have already taken the right step by joining MFP so look at it as you have just started your journey and are moving toward the right direction. I really do not think you look bad at all but I also know it does not matter what anyone else thinks except you. So just start logging your food and do some exercise videos while at home. I am very sorry to hear about your job but maybe flip it around and look at it on the positive because now you get to stay home with your son. And just so you know I think all of us parents feel like we do not do good enough at times for our children. I had a day like that just yesterday with my 2 year old. Just remind yourself that you are beautiful and doing your son a great service by just being there for him!! Congrats on your decision to start turning things around!! You can add me as a friend if you want to have someone else to go through this journey with you :flowerforyou:

Glad you are here! Such great advice from everyone. I wrote something on my profile today that might really encourage you. Something someone shared with me. Id copy and paste but cant get to computer. Feel free to friend me. I struggled with depression in the past. It can be overcome.

I'm a mom too!

Here to encourage you!

I'm sorry to hear about the struggle you're going through. I was fired from my dream job and I gained so much weight from depression. I found the best way to get out of the funk is to create a routine and not let yourself sit with your thoughts too much. If you haven't gotten a job yet dedicate a few hours a day (maybe during school hours when you're not distracted) applying to jobs. Once that is done, do some things that make you happy or tidy up (cleaning burns calories too ). A suggestion someone mentioned earlier about taking walks with your son was a perfect idea. My mom did this with me when I was your son's age and it was some great memories and put me into a lifelong habit.

I can't begin to understand what life is like being a mother, so I'm going to skip over giving you any emotional advice and leave that to the more experienced And as others have said on here, it's not important what I think of your shape in a bikini, but what YOU think that matters.
So, since you do want to lose some weight, I'll just share with you some things that I got into, that has helped me go from 136 pounds, down to 114 pounds in the past year and a half or so.
I watched a film on nutrition called Forks Over Knives, and another called Planeat. Both of those films showed me how to live a lifestyle where the weight easily came off, without me having to do much more than do moderate exercise. Tons of people have had successful weight loss from what I'm doing, without having to change their exercise in the least. It's not a diet where you can't eat. You can actually eat as much as you want. And it works.
Try reading the books The Starch Solution by John McDougall, The McDougall Program for Maximum Weigh Loss and see if those help you There's also a book that goes with the movie Forks Over Knives, called, well, Forks Over Knives. It has 125 recipes in it that are pretty dang good.

I can only empathize with how you feel. My oldest son (Gene) was born with Cerebal Palsy. Watching him throughout the day can make me feel guilty for how easy I have it. He works harder to get dressed than I do all day, and yet there are so many areas that I have fallen short of. It was when Gene was about 7 that I came to the realization that if I could accept Gene for who he is and tell him his best was good enough: why couldn't I accept myself & let my best be good enough. Don't forget to breathe, & give yourself credit for what your doing. Beating myself up doesn't help Gene learn how to accept himself. But if instead I focus on doing my best, and being an example of showing up even when it's hard. Gene & I can talk through the things that come up in his life that are hard, & we can get through them together.

You look great! But please remember to give yourself a break. Life with handicap children is not for the weak of heart. It can be an emotionally & physically draining life. But he didn't pick just anyone, he picked you!

That which does not kill us makes us stronger. use what you are going through to motivate you to do better and also help others that will help you as well good luck and stay strong




“For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.” Arnold

Oh my gosh, he is so stinking cute! Now that I have said that, I can see where you are coming from. Not only do I have a 14 year old son with an anxiety disorder and developmental delays (no not nearly as severe as downs syndrome, but still very difficult), I also am a special education ed tech. I know how a child can be one way at school and a totally different child at home and how difficult that can be. It can be so overwhelming and exhausting taking care of him all of the time. It is ok to ask for help and take some "me" time. If your son is anything like the children I work with, I'm sure he is a bottle full of energy and would love for you to take him out for walks and join you in some "mommy and me" activities to keep you both active and moving. Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. You can send me a message anytime even if it is to vent about a tough day and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.