Spring 2021 - I can't do this

[Mamawell81]

I'm a new mum and I feel so depressed.

I've stayed so positive throughout but I don't think I can do this anymore. We are going back into lockdown and now no-one can come round the house anymore.

I know, it’s shit. Hang in there

What's the alternative?

Speak to your GP.

I just can't see this ending. Even spring feels months away

I just want my life back

@FractionalGains

I know, it’s shit. Hang in there

Thank you

I can't even join my friends - we were having them round to socialise. Especially in the garden.

Play dates all cancelled

It's just plunging me into social isolation

My husband works full time

Where do you live?

And you can always ignore rules

That's a bit irresponsible fallowdeerhunter

I'm a new mum too, in a local lockdown area as well as the new restrictions from today. I feel your pain, my husband also works full time, however our local restrictions were only not meeting people in private homes or gardens, so i read that as i can go for a walk with my mum so she can see my baby. Could you do similar? Also covid secure baby classes are still taking place, although i havent been to any in person yet as dont feel brave enough and my 8 week old is no where near a routine! I have been doing some online zoom baby classes though which are based in liverpool - don't know where you are from but theres a few local mum groups i've joined on facebook which helps. There are probably similar ones near you.

Yes maybe @EasternDailyStress but if you feel you simply can’t cope then I don’t think having a small support bubble of friends is a terrible thing. Dominic Cummings managed to break the rules and it was all ok.

I’m not suggesting going partying or seeing loads of people. But one or two friends, I wouldn’t begrudge someone that

I really hear you on this. My second and last baby was born exactly a week before lockdown. I had so many visions and plans for what this, my last ever maternity leave, would be like. I was going to do it ‘right’ this time; as a second time round mum I was going to know what I was doing and what PNA looked like and grab it by the horns refusing to let it reduce my maternity leave to tears and sleeplessness. As we are fortunate to be in a better financial position this time I have taken a year off and I had such plans to enjoy my baby and the time with my 5 year old.

Well yes the first 6 months of my leave have been challenging to say the least and certainly not what I had planned. There’s been enough tears to drown a small village; but these last few weeks as things have started to open up I’ve managed to carve out my own ‘normality’. Have baby classes started up near you? These are allowed and give you that normal maternity leave experience whilst also removing some of that isolation. I’ve got myself into a little routine and I’m feeling so much better for it. I’ve also forced myself to shift my mindset and make the most of what I can. I will never get this time back with my baby so whilst it isn’t what I’d planned/ hoped for he is only this age once. He doesn’t know the world has gone utterly mad and so I have to make the most of it for him.

Yes I’ll admit the idea that the restrictions announced today are here for 6 months and most likely will get tighter again still before then has put a dampener on things again as that means there is no hope of ‘normal’ prior to me going back to work. But all the more reason I simply have to find a way to make the most of the time and enjoy my baby. I urge you to do the same. Interestingly support groups for new parents are one of the exemptions for the rule of 6- food for thought right there.

My friend with a four month old is doing stuff everyday even in a high risk area ! Baby sensory classes, baby swim class, stay and play group, she's never in !