pregnant and stressed

Katie - posted on 03/15/2009

I feel that way all the time. My daughter is 13.5 months old and I am 24 weeks into my second pregnancy. I am stressed from my head to my toes right now. My husband works a job that requires him to travel and be away from home from Monday to Thursday. And our daughter is currently working on walking. So I get to chase after her wherever she decides to go. I'm a stay at home mom, but with my husband gone most of the week, things get pretty hectic. I'm always tired, stressed and overworked. I really don't have any advice for you, because I'm looking for the same thing you are.

Rebekah - posted on 03/15/2009

I am not currently pregnant but do have a 3&1/2 year old , 20month old and an 8month old so i kinda know where you are i also workerd parttime or full time during each pregnancy the last two were allot harder especially as i was also working nights so they would got to child care, anyway few things that helped!

Nap time is a must for mummy and babe! i would make sure i got everyone down to nap (making sure they had a good lunch and nice bit of milk to make sure i got at least 60min!

and having some set activities so you knew that there would be "nice one on one time" with the little one. simple stuff is always good

and have a good play group they give out advice and some support

good luck

Brenda - posted on 03/14/2009

Believe me it is a chore to handle one that age and being pregnant!  My son will be almost 4 when our second is born in May, and I've had a terrible pregnancy.  I had morning sickness that could only be controlled with Zofran until like seven months, and now I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  I've fought to gain weight with this baby already, and now with the diet doubt I'll put on much more before then end.  But some days it is very hard to answer the needs of my son because I feel so stressed.  I'm a graduate student as well right now, and because of a car situation, I'm not currently working, but I normally work part time too. 

The best thing to do is take a deep breath and count to ten and try to remember that she's not trying to irritate...  And it is so much harder to do than it is for me to say to do it.  There are some days I just want to scream "leave me alone for five minutes!" at my son as he tails me around the apartment.  I try to remind myself it is hormones and try not to yell too much, but some days it is oh so hard!

Casey - posted on 03/14/2009

I'm only pregnant with my first baby, but the way you are acting may feel terrible but is completely understandable.. it's how I treat my poor boyfriend...

Colleen - posted on 03/13/2009

Hopefully the second trimester will be better. I'd suggest practicing some relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, positive thoughts or aromatherapy. Your daughter knows you love her, so don't let guilt make you even more stressed. And keep smiling, it releases happy hormones. :)

Timmi - posted on 03/13/2009

I give her lots of hugs and tell her sorry all the time, this usually makes me feel much better. Today I took a time out and had my mom watch her for a few hours, it was wonerful to get out of the house and have some actual alone time (I'm sorry grocery shopping and cleaning house is not real fun alone time. Do anyone else's husbands think this way?).
Sasha I am 16 weeks so I have quite a bit, summer is going to be so much FUN!

Amie - posted on 03/13/2009

Quoting Erica:

if feel frustrated walk away then come back i have four and it can be a challenge. I tend to get frustrated to but they are kids they don't know everything, all i can say is walk away and if you do lash out make sure you say sorry, it teaches your child that everyone does wrong but to come back and say sorry is huge for kids because they will learn to forgive others, and your child will say sorry to others kids when she done something not nice too.

I do this too! I'm pregnant with our 4th and man can the other 3 get really irritating sometimes. I still love them and they know it but WOW! Hormones during pregnancy are just crazy and suck. So the patience I generally have is not always there. So don't feel bad! You're not the only one. =)

The saying sorry thing is true too. Mine all say sorry right away if they lash out or cause an accident. They even give hugs if they make each other cry. My son and youngest daughter were playing last night and he ended up knocking her off the couch. Of course she started to cry and he jumped up right away saying sorry caitlin and picked her up and gave her a hug until she stopped crying. =)

Erica - posted on 03/13/2009

if feel frustrated walk away then come back i have four and it can be a challenge. I tend to get frustrated to but they are kids they don't know everything, all i can say is walk away and if you do lash out make sure you say sorry, it teaches your child that everyone does wrong but to come back and say sorry is huge for kids because they will learn to forgive others, and your child will say sorry to others kids when she done something not nice too.

Jamie - posted on 03/13/2009

I think everyone loses it at some point and then feels horrible. Just remember its not the real you and your at a point hormonally that you may not be able to think before you speak. Just take break from her for a few minutes calm yourself down then talk to her. Tell her that mommy sometimes gets cranky just like sometimes she gets cranky. And that you are excited to be having her brother or sister, and  that its not her fault. You cant really expalin hormones to a 3 yr old. Im still trying to explain to mine that coffee is needed in the morning because it helps me wake up. She says she just opens her eyes and shes awake.

Sasha - posted on 03/13/2009

I'm pregnant right now too with my second baby. My daughter is 5. I too, have lost it and feel pretty bad about it. How far along are you? I'm 27 weeks. I have less patience than normal right now too and tend to get upset pretty easily. I find that if I make time for myself to relax (listen to relaxing music or something) it tends to help. And saying your sorry helps too. Cause we all do it from time to time, and at least we're teaching them that mom can be wrong too sometimes and we have to say sorry too. But I totally know where your coming from.