Need a daily routine to help with depression

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I have a 3 year old (who goes to nursery 9-12 each day) and a 4 month old baby. I have noticed when I have attempted to stick to a daily routine including house work doing activities with DC i feel much better. Days like today when I have nothing to do I feel so down. Please help me come up with a good daily routine that I can stick to so I can help my depression, it needs to include activities for DC and housework, cooking, bathtime etc. Every routine I have tried myself has failed for being toom ambitious! DC wake at about 7am and go to bed about 8p, baby cat naps in day and 3 year old doesn't nap anymore. Hope that helps!

Hi just reading through your post and I'm struck by how much you want to do in the house and with your DC but what about something just for you that you enjoy?

I might be wrong but you could be a bit depressed because you're a busy mum and have got a bit lost in this and forgotten about you. As your eldest DC is in nursery everyday between 9 til 12 there is some usable time here. One day you could may be look at going for a swim or to the gym and put your baby in a crèche. There are some good council run health clubs about. Another day perhaps you could find a good toddler group to take baby to which would help you to make new friends and would get you out for a bit and your baby would enjoy it too.

It is hard when they're little as often the day feels so long. If you really need to clean just stick to one small thing a day then you don't feel you've failed. Be kind to yourself, you're doing a good job and this time when they're small will pass quickly.

HTH

Every day, make it a goal you do something that makes your baby, little girl/boy and you smile. Could be to drop the housework for an hour and walk to the park, and push your oldest child on the swing. Maybe, just to stop doing housework for a bit and sit and have a teddy bears picnic, or cuddle up read them a favourite story . Also, If you make sure you devote some play time with her/him, the oldest may settle to play a bit on her/his own. As orange flutie says, one cleaning task each day is plenty when there is so much more important things your children need to learn and share with you. Keeping a sleep routine is great, as is being flexible to their changing sleep/other needs as they grow.

Please don't be hard on yourself if you feel isolated/bored- all mums do if they have not allowed enough timeout for themselves-as orange flutie says, take time out to spend time on you and your needs too

I think both of the above posts offer really good advice.
My DC are older now but I still remember this feeling. And in fact I still feel this a bit sometimes myself as I now work term-time only and find myself floundering a bit in the school holidays. (Much as I need and enjoy being off.)
Even something as simple as making a rough weekly plan such as 'baby group on Xday', 'one load of laundry every day' etc can help, so long as you keep the 'goals' achievable and you don't get stressed if something slips.
Really only you knows how to best fit things in with your children, but just having an idea in your head about doing an hour (or whatever) of housework followed by a reward time for yourself next time you get the chance might help you get things in balance.
Don't be too hard on yourself!

Thanks guys some good ideas there. I am going to make sure I do one thing for each of us that will make us happy each day and set a goal(s) for keeping the house clean. I think I have been setting such big goals that I just fail. Also the above posts made me realize that I don't do anything for myself at all so that is something for me to think about.

I have done one thing for my DD1 so far today, I let her have her paints out!! Just got to think of something for the baby and something for me now!

x

Peek -a-boo for baby??!

Hope you have a lovely (but no doubt busy! day) My children are older now, but do remember feeling like you
Going out for a night out/ exercise did help lift my spirits in between part time work and full time mum duties Good luck with your young family :)

Thanks nopartyday