I am feeling so overwhelmed today.

[LeftyMom]

I have a million school things to get done, I haven't finished painting, rearranging and cleaning up my room, the rest of the house is a disaster and nobody else cleans up after themselves. I need a few things for myself I just can't afford right now, I need a few days to get this house into shape that I haven't got, I need help that won't be forthcoming.

I need a shower, and I'll be lucky to get anyone to keep an eye on my son long enough for that to happen.

:cry: I fucking hate this.

[MoseyWalker]

1. Please be happy that you didn't get poked in the eyes today

Hey. It could be worse!

There is always help out there somewhere. One just has to be open to the place and the time; no preconceptions.

:)

[graywarrior]

2. Breathe. Just stop, and breathe for awhile.

[miss_american_pie]

3. ...

:hug:

[mdmc]

4. courage

we are all pullin for ya!

[bicentennial_baby]

5. I am too...

:hug:

I've got a motherlode of homework...I've been left to cook a large Mexican meal (wielding 4 dishes at once, pans everywhere, prepping veggies, timing, and cooking...) b/c somewhat got a lil too tipsy to help me finish it...Yeah, I'd like a shower too. x(

:hug:

:loveya:

[riderinthestorm]

6. Just breathe. Then prioritize the shower

I know when I was feeling the most crazy when my kids were small, that getting a shower every day was a big accomplishment but also it always made me feel better about myself.

How old is your son? Can you bring him in the bathroom with you while you shower? (I used to put mine when they were infants, into the damn swing chair and drag the whole freaking thing into my tiny bathroom). Is he young enough you can still shower with him? Is he able to color a picture on the floor while you shower?

Good luck. I've been there and you will be through this phase so fast! It does get easier....
:hug:

[shanti]

9. exactly

this too shall pass....i (still am, but he's 16 - whole NOTHER set of problems there!) was a single mom too, and remember many a day that i cried myself to sleep with frustration.

:hug: leftymom

[SoyCat]

15. I love your avatar/I was given one to hang in my house when it's finished

[shanti]

24. thank you!

i keep one on the wall in my kitchen. can't hurt, eh? :hi:

[LeftyMom]

10. I got the shower in

I feel much better. LK is 5, but he has a bad habit of sneaking out of the house if unsupervised, so I need to have somebody watch him when I shower, especially since I can't hear over the water if he opens the door. He's being good right now, reading Where the Wild Things are while I take a break for a minute and type.

I'm thinking I'm going to toss the things on the floor of my room into a laundry basket or something so I can sort them when I have the time but have my room cleaned up now. I might not be able to work on the school stuff much until the kid goes to his father's tomorrow, but at least I can get the rest done.

[shanti]

25. count your blessings

that you have a daddy in your son's life. it makes a world of difference, believe me! i very rarely got my piddly child support, but wasn't about to turn my son's daddy. boys NEED their fathers! (make that boys AND girls).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. All I have is this, my dear LeftyMom........

Wish I lived in your neighborhood so I could help........

:hug:

And I'd be there in a shot.......

[redwitch]

8. I wish we lived closer to each other

I would babysit Leftykid so you could catch a wee break. Hang in there! I remember those days, it is overwhelming to all moms. :hug:

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. Have a homemade bagel.

Cream cheese?

[flvegan]

12. It's all about the triage, love.

Your room and the house can probably wait. Nobody's going to lose an eye over either one. Stack all the shit your sister made a mess of in her room...on her bed. See what happens.

I know the feeling, and I'm sorry you're experiencing it too.

[LeftyMom]

13. I'm taking a break right now.

I got the shower, I ate a bit. My life will still be in chaos in an hour or so, I'm just not going to give a shit until then. :)

How do you cheer me up so easily? :loveya:

[Arugula Latte]

14. I feel totally overwhelmed, too.

Ever since the kids went back to shool I've been in High Anxiety mode. I start a new part-time job tomorrow (in addition to my home-based one), I have a deadline, the kids' homework needs to get done, the house is always a huge project, the pets require a lot of care, so many events loom (back-to-school nights, PTA, Red Cross training sessions, etc.), I have big responsibilities in terms of volunteering at my kids' schools, we also have a boys' group to help organize, I can't keep up on my social obligations w/ friends and family, I need to make time to exercise (which I did today), etc., etc.

I've been trying to calm my anxiety by being diligent about keeping my calendar up-to-date, writing things I need to do down, etc. I'm trying to tell myself: Somehow everything will fall into place and I will survive the Autumn.

And you will too! :hug:

[wain]

16. I have such admiration for single mothers

You're allowed to vent and that won't diminish our support for you. You'll get it done. Just don't give up on school as that's key for you and lefty kid. The British historian Arnold Toynbee believed adversity was the the prime driver of successful civilizations. I've always believed the same is true for individuals. We are the better when life is not always easy and we forge ahead to overcome.

You've got the right stiff.

:)

[wildhorses]

17. ...........

:hug:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UyVMxKh5IQ

[LeftyMom]

18. Thanks

:hug: My right front tire is going flat. I put some sealer and air in it, but I hope it can make it to the tire shop okay in the morning.

[Skittles]

19. let's start with the first thing

those people who won't clean up after themselves - KICK THEIR F***ING ASSES, ALL OF THEM. GET TO IT!!!

[Floogeldy]

20. You need to plan ahead better and get some things removed from your plate.

[LeftyMom]

21. You're not funny.

:hi:

[Floogeldy]

22. I wasn't trying to be funny.

I'm a problem solver (Translation: Male). My wish is to help you, LeftyMom. I wish you peace, control and contentment.

Who would not be overwhelmed under the circumstances you describe?

Adjustments are in order, IMHO.

[LeftyMom]

23. None of it's anything I can change.

School is awful. Having a kid is stressful. Living with my asshole family bites. Being broke makes all the other stuff worse because I can't aford a sitter, an excuse to get away or even a fucking beer to help me deal.

The only old wealthy relative I've got hates my guts, so I'm not likely to get to go live anyplace else and be able to finish school or ever have time to see my kid.

I'm a smart girl, if there were a way out of this hell, I'd have found it.

[Floogeldy]

26. *Biting Tongue*

[MaryBear]

27. Uhh.

Could this be PMS?

Wanna help me move some more stuff? (See? Things could be worse!)

Hang in there, sweet woman. This will pass.

:pals:

Just today I was telling someone about what a logical vegan you are, and why honey is a problem

[LeftyMom]

28. Hi there!

Nah, I'm on birth control to keep the PMS managable (it's certainly not doing me any other good) and anyhow it's not that time.

:hug:

OMG! Somebody listens to my crazy ranting! My work here is done. :D

[jobycom]

29. Meh. Just another "When I was your age" story for the munchkin.

Of course, he won't believe you when you tell him. :)

[BlueIris]

30. I will meditate for you in the hopes that it helps dissipate the overwhelm

and motivates your housemates to pick up after themselves at least a little (I don't know how old LeftyKid is, so I'm not sure how much housework it's reasonable to expect said kid to do).