Recent struggle to stay positive

[emilybrook]

Does anyone else go through periods which you just feel like their putting on a show for your LO when you’re really struggling to feel happy day to day.

My girl is 7 months old and just constant. Usually I really love playing with her and find our days east but recently she’s going through a sleep regression and just seems to be miserable unless I’m entertaining her. She can’t crawl yet and I think her frustration at this isn’t helping her mood.

All day I feel like I’m having to be smiley and interact with her so she doesn’t get upset. Finding new things to do in the house is challenging, often I’ll just be finding her any object to entertain her for more than 30 seconds. Then I feel so guilty that I need a few mins on my phone or make myself food just to mentally unwind. Maybe I’m being selfish and should just be interacting with her 100 percent of the time. Any tips from people who have been through similar?

Solidarity and an unMumsnetty hug, OP.

Please don't be hard on yourself. Parenting is the best and worst of times. In amongst all the cute and lovely moments I remember this stage with DS as being boring, tough, frustrating and miserable - I was just so tired as he didn't sleep and that made entertaining him twice as hard! So do your best but don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself. Put her down and encourage her to entertain herself when possible and don't feel bad about it. Getting out and about every day helps with the monotony and it does get better.

I cried reading your message. Thank you, it’s so affirming to hear a similar experience. I feel like my mum guilt has gotten the better of me for a little while but I realise that this is just a phase and I’ve just got to ride it out!