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Bad Mother Brigade

138 replies

bloss · 19/05/2002 12:23

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manna · 20/05/2002 13:30

Bloss - my ds is similarly active, although now 6mths. My life was saved when someone lent us a sort of activity centre with a seat in the middle where they can nearly stand up, or at least feel like it, and bash the toys on it. They can swivel around, kick, stand, take the weight off their legs when tired and all while seeing the world upright, which is all he ever wants to do. Try one out at a toy shop - it could be the thing.

Lizzer · 20/05/2002 13:36

Bloss, I wonder if there's something in the air because last week I was feeling incredibly low about having dd at all! I kept imagining how different and easier my life would have been without her. Awful to admit but I just wished I could go away and leave her for a week, a month, a day???! I can't imagine having a new born to deal with aswell as your other problems, but as others have said it doesn't make you a bad Mum for thinking like that - or if it does then I'm one too
IMO I found the 3 month - 6 month bit of dd's life a nightmare, from the same perspective as you. she wouldn't sit/lie/play anywhere and got to the point where she was constantly feeding. Its hard to envision the future (is envision a real word??!) at this point but once dd is sitting on her own and on 3 meals a day the feeding and intense-ness (another good word of mine!) should let up. But that's easy for me to say...

Sending you loads and loads of love and hugs cos you are ace (and if it weren't for the barrier that is the horrid Gina then I might actually LIKE you! Ah well, can't have everything I suppose... )

sml · 20/05/2002 13:40

Bloss, just wanted to add my sympathy. I remember well having a baby who wanted constant attention. No one can give this and maintain their usual efficient routines.

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Rhubarb · 20/05/2002 13:46

I felt rotten today about how I treated my dd. We'd had an awful day, I'd taken her into town without her buggy as it wouldn't fit on these crappy little buses we get here. Walked about 3 miles looking for a printer cartridge, eventually went into Office World, dd is crying wanting to be picked up, I was being ignored by all the assistants. When I finally got served I had to order the cartridge which meant filling out an order form and so on. The guy was painfully slow and dd was near hysterical. Eventually got home, made her some dinner and rested my aching arms. She wouldn't eat her food and kept insisting that I wash her hands for her. I made appointment with doc about spots appearing all over my back, only to have to cancel it 5 mins later when dh phoned to say he had made appointment for builder to come and see me about complaints we have re: shoddy work. Dd threw her dinner on the floor and that was the last straw. I yanked her out of her chair, plonked her harshly in the other room, kicked a few chairs and then slammed the door shut. I knew I had frightened her and I could hear her screaming at the other side of the door, but I just had to calm down a bit. Then I heard her choking on her tears so I went in and broke down too, hugging her and feeling terrible.

So I do sympathise with you Bloss. I wasn't cut out to be a f/t mum either and with added worries it makes your job that bit harder and frustrating. The past 3 weeks for me have been bad with the builders in and tensions between me and dh have been high, plus I'm having a killer of a period and have bled heavily for 4 days now. All these add up to make your life a nightmare. But I keep thinking that the builders won't be here forever, my period will stop and things will calm down. And the same for you, this bad period cannot last, though it feels like it at the time. Just take each day as it comes and take out 20 mins or so to post your grievances on Mumsnet, it's good therapy and sod the kitchen and tiding, it will wait. You can't do everything. You need to make some time for yourself and no-one can condemn you for that.

Thinking of you.

eemie · 20/05/2002 14:20

The baby nest saved my sanity. It allowed me to put dd down and kept her happy during the few weeks when she was too little to sit unsupported but fed up with being on her back or reclining. At first she needed rolled-up towels in with her to stop her sliding down.

I could put her in it while I had a shower or something to eat and even took it with me to physio appointments so she would play and allow me to get some treatment for my wraxed back.

I nearly murdered a friend who told me condescendingly that it was a waste of money and I could have improvised with pillows and cushions. As if I hadn't tried.

If you can't get hold of one I'll send you mine

winnie1 · 20/05/2002 14:24

Bloss, I don't think I can add anything to the sound advice you've already received but would like to add that how you are feeling does not make you a bad mother... many of us have been there and hope to never return... it is all supposed to be roses around the door and when it isn't we think we are to blame somehow. I hope you get the help and support you need soon and that life takes on board a much better aspect! I am so sorry to hear about your father in law. Take care of yourself, Winniex

Azzie · 20/05/2002 14:41

Eemie, I found the babynest really good too - it meant I could prop dd up so she could see, while at the same time it provided some protection from her older brother - if I tried to use pillows, duvet etc (as I had with ds), ds kept taking them to build dens etc.

bells2 · 20/05/2002 16:29

Bloss, one of the things I found the hardest about having a second child was the loss of individual attention for my toddler son. I felt a real physical longing for him in those early weeks and got very depressed at the thought that we wouldn't have those special times, just the two of us, again in quite the same way.

One thing that has worked for us is to take one child each for a Saturday afternoon outing once a month or so. I have put a lot of effort into planning things that he and I can do together and we have really enjoyed ourselves. I have also stocked up on Arts and Crafts things that we can all do together around the kitchen table while I feed the baby.

As others have said, you are clearly a wonderful mother.

Sid · 20/05/2002 22:20

Bloss, just to add support to what the others have said. I'm too tired to think of any additional ways you could improve your existence - but I've also walked with the bad mother brigade and it's no fun. But your message was great and the next time I am beating myself about the head for being a bad mother, I will think about your message and realise that I am not alone....

Tinker · 20/05/2002 23:34

Bloss - I have been thinking about this a lot. I distinctly remember most Saturday mornings waking up and actually feeling nervous/anxious about how I was going to fill up the next 48 hours when my daughter was younger. I could quite easily go through a weekend not speaking to another adult.

I found, for me anyway, breaking the day up into small parts made it bearable. Thinking about the whole weekend, or in your case, week, is too big, it's too empty. Do half an hour/ten minutes, whatever, of something and you can see an end to it.

But definitely, if you have friends you can visit or get to come to you, try and fit them in. It makes so much difference and helps to put things in perspective.

And take up any offers of help/babysitting even for just half an hour. Sod the housework, it's never going to be done anyway, so leaving it for a bit won't matter.

But it does get better/change. My daughter started sleeping through the night at 13 weeks so you might get a break soon.

But you're obviously a lovely, loving mother - you wouldn't even be thinking like this if you were a "bad" mother. However, if you do carry on feeling like this for some time, I would, as has been suggested, think about having a chat with a doctor. I wish you all the best.

Rozzy · 21/05/2002 00:45

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aloha · 21/05/2002 10:40

I'm sure any advice I have is total rubbish (you are a much more experienced mother than me) but.. I agree with getting friends round. I found broody childless friends were the BEST. They long to hold /walk/entertain the baby, but haven't brought their own demanding kids round. I have two such friends and each will make tea or food for me or, which I usually prefer, take the baby and let me have my arms and body back for a couple of hours. Bliss. If you can rack your brains for anyone who might fit the bill, call them and ask them round ASP. Also mothers, elderly neighbours, baby mad teenagers, a cleaner (I have a cleaner just for two hours a week and sometimes it's just lovely to have someone else there bringing a bit of order to the chaos and being a bit of undemanding company - worth every penny of £11 - can't imagine how you manage with a toddler and a new baby). Also echo what everyone else says about going out - I tend to roam the streets with ds rather than stay in eyeballing each other, both of us thinking 'what next?'. And I laughed when I readthe post about watching for dh coming up the street. I used to literally wait behind the door, baby in arms, waiting to hand him straight over the minute dh walked in from work! You are so not alone. I often think if people read mumsnet before they got pregnant it would cut the birthrate! The things I call my son at 1am and 5am don't bear repeating. You are, of course, an excellent mother. In fact, I often think the worse you feel, the happier the children are - because you give and they take. It's natural and normal but bloody exhausting and frustrating. Good luck.

tigermoth · 21/05/2002 11:57

Bloss, your message is such a cry from the heart. I hope this day is better for you. You know you're not a bad mother, just an overburdened one.

On days like the one you describe, my way of coping was to get out, leave the housework, change the scene, put the baby in the pushchair propped up so they can see the world, give them something else to look at - just go. Anywhere - the park, the shops, the sand pit, the town hall, the swimming pool. Pack sandwiches and bring a bottle of water for the toddler and you, if skint.

When I was out, I knew I was letting myself and the children in for the unexpected, for new experiences, even if minor. I could put my stresses on the back burner, literally leave them at home. Couldn't worry about housework or paper work because I wasn't there to do it, and my concentratrion had to be fixed on the here and now. The route we were taking, road safety etc. The simple rhythem of walking always helped me to relax and forget.

When my oldest was a baby, he was so active and demanding. I had to transfer his demands away from me sometimes, to the wide world, so I got some peace. And for your ds, toddlers can make the same journey and every time it is different for them, as you know, of course.

Walk or drive, - do you drive, have you access to a car? This was a lifeline for me. I don't know what your area is like, are there parks in walking distance?`does the heat allow you to comfortably make family trips during the day?

That's enough of my rambling. As others have said, you are going through a very hard time and as your children get older things will get much easier.

Thinking of your you, your poor FIL and your dh.

Love tigermoth

Zoe · 21/05/2002 18:52

Bloss shift up and make room for another because I most days feel like founder member of the Bad Mother Brigade - and I only have one!!!!!

Sending you a hug to Oz - hope that things get better soon

Zoe
xxx

bloss · 22/05/2002 10:04

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tigermoth · 22/05/2002 10:34

Bloss, very sorry to hear your news. So sudden for you all. It must seem unreal.

Hope you can get some rest, and that you have some family friends who'll rally round and help you out. Don't be afraid to ask. Don't overestimate how much you can do.

Thinking of you.XX

winnie1 · 22/05/2002 10:40

Bloss, what a terrible shock for you all, thinking of you, take care of yourself, Winniex

CAM · 22/05/2002 10:44

Know how you feel Bloss, my FIL died in April in hospital when he was supposed to be getting better and being sent home in the near future. The rituals of the funeral and gathering of relatives will help as there will be many people grieving with you. It is a very,very sad time for your family. I wish you all the best and take care.

Enid · 22/05/2002 10:46

Lots of love and sympathy Bloss xx

cherry · 22/05/2002 10:54

My thoughts are with you Bloss, lots of hugs xxx

Marina · 22/05/2002 11:07

Bloss, so sad to hear your news. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. XX

bells2 · 22/05/2002 11:47

All the best to you and your family Bloss.

leander · 22/05/2002 12:16

So sorry to hear your sad news Bloss i'm thinking of you all.

Lizzer · 22/05/2002 12:18

Bloss, such sad news, my thoughts are with you... Take care xxx

Tigger2 · 22/05/2002 12:32

Bloss, take care and our thoughts are with you and your husband in this time of sorrow.

Regards

Tigger and family