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are we missing out on any support we could be getting

9 replies

BumptiousandBustly · 09/08/2010 12:04

We have two children, two years apart (DS2 is 5 months) and I am suffering from PND. finances are tight, but livable, but we don't really qualify for "services" that are based on income.

I have been trying to get some support for a while - but it never seems to work out - i.e. local training collage does child care courses, and need placements in families as part of their training, so would get someone two days a week for a couple of months - however they need someone who has a baby under 9 months, and by the time they can start DS2 will be 11 months - other collage isn't doing placements any more.

Now I have been referred to a local service for mental health support, but they have stopped doing their PND course - for funding reasons - however have suggested homestart - and we are being referred to that.

I was just wondering, is there anything else out there that i might be able to access? I have tried the surestart centers near me - but TBH they don't seem very good - tiny rooms, too many people in the activities - no one to help etc.

I am just hoping you lovely people can suggest some other things I haven't thought of, just to take a little bit of the pressure off. (NB as I said, we don't qualify for things were you have to be on low income, as we are JUST above it, and we have NO family near enough to help)

OP posts:
topsi · 09/08/2010 13:15

When your older child gets to 3 yrs you will be able to get early years funding for a nursery place.
Have you got any famiy around that could help.
I am a member of a local soft play centre so I can go up any time for a couple of hours and sit and have a coffee while DS gets on with it. This is good when I feel too exhausted for any real interaction.

BumptiousandBustly · 09/08/2010 13:44

Tposi, Thankyou, we have DS1 enrolled for preschool and luckily the funding kicks in right after his third birthday.

Re the softplay - DS1 is too young to go off wihtout me on the big stuff (and won't stay in the toddler bit) and I can't chase after him as I have DS2.

OP posts:
topsi · 09/08/2010 14:19

How old is your first child?

BumptiousandBustly · 09/08/2010 15:31

Topsi - he's 2.4 and DS2 is 5 months!

OP posts:
BumptiousandBustly · 09/08/2010 19:28

Anyone else with any suggestions?

OP posts:
BumptiousandBustly · 10/08/2010 10:23

BUMP?

OP posts:
NotEnoughSleep · 20/08/2010 21:48

Hello BnB, how are you?

Are there any PND support groups where you could speak to other mums? Or an NCT group? do you have any friends locally?

Moral support is so important

Thinking of you

sailorsgal · 21/08/2010 17:08

We have a local support group near us which is ran by Surestart. Do you have anything like this near you?

Could you afford to send your eldest to a childminder for a few hours? I found one who had my ds occasionally. She was very flexible and wanted the company for her son.

Keziahhopes · 23/08/2010 23:23

Hi - have you contacted HomeStart, which I think is what sailorsgal is referring to. It is part of surestart - you can self refer or get a HV to refer you and it is a free service. My friend used it, received one helper once a week for 2hrs, after an initial meeting.

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