How do you manage getting the DCs to nursery/school?

[LadyOfWaffle]

I find it very very hard getting out and until recently it was 'ok' because DH took DS to pre-school. He has started working days though so I have had to take DS1 to preschool this week and last which has been excrutiating. Luckily though the days I took him was his two afternoons so had until 12 to gather myself, but I am already dreading tomorrow. And then Friday is worse because it's a morning session. And then in April he is going 5 mornings (he does 2 afternoons & 1 morning now). If it wasn't for how I am I would send him 5 mornings after 1/2 term as he loves it there, but I am scared it'll be too much and I'll panic and not take him at all. I thought TBH I wouldn't cope taking his the days I have been, but I did so am really really chuffed with myself, but that's only been 3 afternoons so far. How do you manage it? I should have namechanged because this is so embarrassing

dont be embarrassed
i felt like this too when i had pnd and had to get my ds to the playschool 5 days a week
it was very hard but i did it
you have too so be proud of yourself
think of it as good exercise and leave it so you wont have to hang around too long waiting until its finished,i found the waiting worst.
you will get used to it
are you on ad's?
suffer from anxiety?

Not on ADs anymore, I do suffer from anxiety. I don't get panic attacks as such when I go out , it's 1) the depression makes me have zero motivation (esp. @ 7am) and so so so so tired and 2) I get scared/anxious/self conscious out 'alone'. Sorry feeding DS @ same time as typing....

Have you been to the GP about your depression. I found AD's and CBT to be very helpful. I also read a book called ' Feel the fear and do it anyway'.

The school run is very difficult to start with but it does get easier, three years on I have a couple of good friends that I have met on the school run. I tried to view it as one step closer to a 'normal' life. I always walked as well and that gave me a bit of 'me' time while dd2 looked around from the buggy.

What bit are you having the most problems with? Perhaps then we could try to give you more specific advice?

HTH

please don't be embarrassed! I had a support worker for a while and though she begrudged helping with that sort of thing (she was all about going to the cinema and other useless-to-me ideas) it was the most helpful thing ever

I still have off days and it hasn't been unheard of for me to turn a very minor complaint in one of my children into a reason to have a day off - now there's something to be embarrassed about but my biggest problem was not so much leaving the house as having laundry and so on organised so there were complete uniforms and pe kits and packed lunches to hand

Sorry x-posted.
Do you think you need to back on AD's or do you not want to do that again?
I used a relaxation CD twice a day (12 mins a time) and that is supposed to be helpful for anxiety.

I am still not good at getting up at 7am but I hate being late for anything so that helps. I get as much ready the night before, including bowls and cereals out for breakfast.

When dd1 was at pre-school I often didn't get dd2 dressed until we got back home.

I used lots of breathing exercises when I got anxious (sorry my yoga background is coming out alot).

I told the nursery staff that I suffered from PND and they were more than helpful. They never said anything if we were late, when I had migraines they arranged for another mother I knew to take dd1 home and on one occasion I even got hugs and a cup of tea!!!!

Hi,
I have been on ADs in the past, they helped with the extreme parts of depression etc. but not so much this. I had CBT too but the man was horrid. That was years ago now though. I cannot even work out myself why I hate going out... I guess I have a comfort zone in the house - out there is abit alien. I have to work myself up to get out, if I stop I'll chicken out so I am breathless (throught rushing about) before I even get out the door! I walk quite quick too. There is nothing nicer than being back and closing the door behind you! I am generally OK going out with DH unless I feel particulary depressed that day, there's just something about being out alone... I can't put my finger on it, but I used to be OK a few years ago.
I had a support worker once to try and get me out but I am not too bad going out with people, but he 'didn't do' toddler groups etc, so we went to the library. Then I dreaded those trips too so I ignored the door
I just put jumper and trousers over DS2s sleepsuit to make it abit easier, and lay out clothes etc. when I remember to make it easier. I guess I have become so used to being housebound it's just difficult. I went out a few weeks ago and realised it was the first time since Boxing Day (I remember it worked out to be about 3 weeks). I never 'just go out', I only go out for DS. I could never take a taxi/bus into town while DS1 is at preschool and just walk around/shop, I haven't been like that for years Shite I sound so pathetic now it's all written down.

No, don't be embarrassed. I have dreadful difficulty in the mornings. Mine is a combination of idleness, mixed with a tendency to depression. It's tough but the only thing which works IME is to put your head down amd make yourself do it. I find that once I am out and about I usually perk up and feel better. Not very useful or helpful really, and I'm sorry.

Some of us need more sleep than average as well - are you getting enough? Assuming you don't have problems sleeping?

What you said about getting back and closing the door behind you does resonate with me; I feel the same.

I am a SAHM at the moment but am going back to work shortly; it will be a bit of a struggle to get my mornings sorted.

I need either 5 or 10 hours sleep. I have dreadful trouble sleeping - I was up until 4/5 am until recently, I managed to sort that so it's more like 12/1 now. I am wondering if I should bite the bullet and put him down for 5 mornings starting after 1/2 term, rather than April. I'll end up doing it sooner rather than later anyway...