Falling off the wagon when stressed.

Sorry you're going through all this. I've never been in your exact shoes, but I can tell you that no amount of food, comforting though you might think it is, will change your situation. It will not make anything better. Stay strong.

Be strong, stress is hard and stress eating is harder. Food doesn't make you feel better or more in control. Though in a way you are controlling something and that may be what your brain is trying to do.

You can't control everything, and being in the middle of hard situations is the worst time to find that out. Breath deep and try to find distractions other than food. You said that you would fall back on exercise- you still can. If you can't go walking with two kids then try to find things that are games that they can do that's exercise for you. Simple games can really take the edge off of life when you start to laugh and have fun. I don't know how old your kids are but if they run 2-6 yrs old then try things like follow the leader, racing, Simon says (kids that age can come up with some challenging things to do), older kids can get involved in exercise as well; relay racing, circuit training like jumping jacks and that sort of thing, or even just games like soccer and basketball.

Firstly, I'm sorry about the stresses you are under lately, both at home and with the tragedy with your friends little girl. That is heartbreaking. Certainly, life isn't very fair sometimes and leaves us picking up the pieces.

As for stuff to do: How about yoga? It is great exercise AND a wonderful way to de-stress and decompress a bit. If you have to do it WITH the kids they even have yogakids DVDs that I used to do with my son when he was little. He actually saw me doing yoga today and said "Hey! We haven't done yogakids since we lived in our old house!" It isn't strict yoga and its more free flowing fun kid-versions to get them into it, but it is fun regardless. I used to do that with him when I was at the end of my rope, needed the chill myself and wanted something active and constructive to do.

In the meantime, as easy as it is to say " I just won't binge" why don't you just make yourself a rule about what you can binge on, and prepare ahead for it. Hardboiled eggs (you can't really overeat hard boiled eggs lol), veggie sticks, fresh fruit. Just make a rule that binging is a-ok when stressed as long as you binge THIS way. Sure, its kind of self-medicating, but maybe that is the stage you are at right now, which is fine too - just make it OK to be stressed and chow down on healthy pretty harmless foods. The fiber in the veggies and fresh fruit will make you full long before any damage is done, I would bet.

ANyway, that would be my way to do it, because avoidance of things just makes me want them more. And I would get a way to de-stress, bubble bath, yoga, walking (take the kids, just move and breathe) but also make sure you have you time where you aren't mom, the good friend, the shoulder, the ear who listens, the spouse, etc. Time just for you, doing something you love to do. Make it non-negotiable. Even if they don't like it in the beginning, they get used to it

Also, maybe consider not refereeing problems(as much), and discuss with both of them that their problems aren't just affecting them and you want them to come up with more constructive ways of dealing with their frustrations with each other. I know its hard though, because I kind of end up doing the same because I'm just a responsible sort of person and I want to keep the peace, but if its sucking you dry, we aren't as useful when only half full anyway.

Hope any of these ideas may work, or spark ideas that fit in better with your style and needs

Just had to share quickly because I used to be a horrible stress eater, until today! I was so upset I just opened a closet and started pulling stuff out. Then I got a garbage bag and started filling it with things I don't need or hardly use to donate to Goodwill. For me this is HUGE. Not only am I a stress eater but I love to keep things "just incase" I need them again. I feel so much better! It didn't make the problem go away but it made my closet cleaner and that made me feel better Good luck, push through and clean clean clean!

Before you eat those tortillas (or whatever), stop and remind yourself that eating that junk will only make you feel worse. You've had a rough time recently......you will have rough times again and again. If exercise is your stress reliever, then find what you can do with the kids around. Yoga is a great place to start, so I agree with the person who mentioned that.