Selfcare 101

[186momx]

Help me selfcare.  What are you all doing for yourself to deal with all the extra stress and anxiety?

[rere]

1. I prioritize my workouts. I cannot let something like that slip no matter what.
2. I have been going on walks just to get out with DD. We live rural, so we don't run into anyone face to face.
3. A glass of wine and a fire were good for the soul last night.
4. Continuing on as much as possible normal. Plus I do have more time since we aren't running everywhere. DD and I made cupcakes last night and I gave her a lesson on how to cook and tell if they are done. I bought new cupcake pans a year ago and forgot I had them.

[k3am]

Basically what rere said. I'm working out in the morning before we start for the day. We're getting dressed as if the world wasn't ending, and we're trying to keep things as normal as possible.

Friday mornings I take a bath, and that will continue.

I literally just got back from a walk. DH has been on calls since 4am this morning and not been able to help one bit with the kids. I walked up, told him I was leaving, and left listening to the sounds of both kids wailing. It was unfortunate, but it was necessary.

[ilovelucyvv]

I’m not thinking too long term even though DD’s school is already closed for the next month. Thinking about this new normal continuing far out gives me anxiety for sure.

I don’t watch the news. I trust if anything significant happens I will hear about it indirectly. I don’t need the doom and gloom

[sdlaura]

I so wish I could drink right now!

I typically work out everyday so I've been trying to keep it up. OrangeTheory put out their first virtual workout on their app today so I did that this morning when I woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep. I'm also glad to have an elliptical and TRX bands in the garage. I painted my nails last night and I'm still wearing makeup - just to feel normal.

I really wish my kids were a little older during this time, or that work had slowed a bit so I could actually enjoy the extra time with them and work with them on some schoolwork rather than running around like a crazy person trying to keep them happy and get my job done.

[covergirl82]

Taking a walk outside between when I sign off from work and dinner has helped. Playing a board game with the kids before bedtime brings me joy at the end of the day.

[waverly]

Well Monday I took a 3 hour nap. My body was so sore from the crazy weekend I was also taking lots of baths. Luckily feeling better. It sucks that I don’t feel like I should go to the chiropractor. I have a handheld massager from the pharmacy section- it’s called Wahl for the brand that will have to help me get through until I can get back to the Chiro. I use it for my neck and trap muscles. Keeping up on my vitamins And all that stuff. Trying to get outside but it’s raining today. I leave the house once a day to pick up sack lunches from the school. Take out is a new getting out. We are planning on a Facetime play dates and going for a drive tonight. I still ordering stuff for the kids in Amazon. Not sure if I should because of the workers? But doing it for now.... I got on my treadmill today.

[xctsclrx]

What is self care again? I have no idea how to take care of myself right now outside of making sure I am eating healthy meals. I have no idea how to do this long term. I feel like I am failing at parenting and my job. I really want to cry.

[campermom]

Mar 18, 2020 19:13:43 GMT -5 xctsclrx said:

What is self care again? I have no idea how to take care of myself right now outside of making sure I am eating healthy meals. I have no idea how to do this long term. I feel like I am failing at parenting and my job. I really want to cry.

Im sorry. This is really, really freaking hard. I don’t know how people are going to sustain this. I’ve also had my fair share of tears these past few days. Is your H gone too? I’m just so sorry.

[erinshelley21]

xctsclrx cry if you need to cry. If it happens in front of your DS, its okay. That's happened to me before and I used it to teach DS that people deal with emotions in different ways.

[campermom]

H came home on time today and I left for the trails. I did 6.2 miles and it really helped me clear my head.

[xctsclrx]

Mar 18, 2020 20:14:47 GMT -5 campermom said:

Mar 18, 2020 19:13:43 GMT -5 xctsclrx said:

What is self care again? I have no idea how to take care of myself right now outside of making sure I am eating healthy meals. I have no idea how to do this long term. I feel like I am failing at parenting and my job. I really want to cry.

Im sorry. This is really, really freaking hard. I don’t know how people are going to sustain this. I’ve also had my fair share of tears these past few days. Is your H gone too? I’m just so sorry.

Yes he is gone which makes it so much harder. He is supposed to be here to tag team the kids. Trying not to be resentful, but failing on that level too

[sdlaura]

xctsclrx I’m sending you virtual hugs.. Do you have any family who can help you?

[campermom]

Mar 18, 2020 22:48:27 GMT -5 xctsclrx said:

Mar 18, 2020 20:14:47 GMT -5 campermom said:

Im sorry. This is really, really freaking hard. I don’t know how people are going to sustain this. I’ve also had my fair share of tears these past few days. Is your H gone too? I’m just so sorry.

Yes he is gone which makes it so much harder. He is supposed to be here to tag team the kids. Trying not to be resentful, but failing on that level too

I thought he was...I think it’s perfectly normal to feel that resentment. I feel resentment toward mine just because he had drill and has had to work overtime, and he’s not even gone. This is some hard shot you’re dealing with alone.

What is the work situation for you? What do you do, is it possible the work will end at all or at least reduce? I have found my stress level to peak during the time I needed to concentrate on work and the kids are crazy and need attention and I just hadn’t had the opportunity to set up any of their online learning stuff yet. It got better when I frontloaded time into downloading their school platforms, setting up an office paper with passwords, etc. That was a daunting task but it’s running smoother now. Can you spend one morning piling on as much as you can onto iPad and tablets, finding a list of YouTube activity things, grabbing old crafts out of the office, and just setting a ton of stuff up? Would it help if we all came up with a list of free apps for kids?

Switching toys out from the living room to the basement or other play area? Mine always play more and longer when I do that. It’s more work at the front end, but could buy you some more time to work. Are you on a base? What are your feelings about them going to childcare if there was one open, at least the kids who require the most attention? Could Family Readiness help in anyway? I’m just wondering if there is an an emergency service they can offer for childcare.

[covergirl82]

xctsclrx, I'm really sorry. Hugs to you. I can't imagine doing this alone. I'm sure you're doing the absolute best you can. And it's totally ok to cry. I had to go in my bathroom to have a quick cry a couple times on Monday. It's overwhelming to think about this being long term (more than a few weeks).

[xctsclrx]

campermom, If my daughter was a little bit older this really wouldn't be as much of an issue, but she is 21 months. She can't do anything unsupervised so I have been working while she is in the room with me and trying to play with her while working. she wants to be with mommy.

My work isn't really going to slow down. If anything it is ramping up and I spend every spare moment playing catch up.

I haven nothing against childcare but they are all closed and FRG isn't really a thing. My H is national guard. I do live near a base, and that might be a legitimate option. I will look into it thank you!

sdlaura, I have my mom, but I worry about relying on her too much. I have enlisted her help for Tuesday and Thursday for the next two weeks once I realized that is not sustainable. The rest of my family is high risk and don't want to take the chance.

[xctsclrx]

some good news. I just checked the numbers in our state and our county with the highest number showed a drop today! Hopefully that means that this working and will be worth it. I'll loose my sanity for awhile if it means I don't loose my grandparents and my friends don't have to worry about their heart baby. Maybe we can starve it.

[sdlaura]

xctsclrx we are also relying on my parents even though they’re over 70. They just happened to be in town at their condo here (they live on the east coast) when this all broke out. We have been completely self isolating since Friday so we hopefully won’t infect them. They’re helping us 2-3 hours a day because I figure the less exposure the better. They will have to go home at some point, so that’s why I’m trying to arrange other options for if we’re closed the rest of the school year.

[sdlaura]

Our school district put out a letter yesterday that the CA Governor’s remarks on school being out till fall were ‘just his opinion’ and that each local district makes their own decision unless there’s a state decree. The superintendent says the county health officer still plans for us to go back as planned April 13. I’m sure parents were flipping out and that’s why they had to say something. Of course no one knows. Our school year goes till June 19, so it’s a lot longer than in many other states.

[186momx]

xctsclrx, I asked this question because I'm melting down each night in tears but I'm holding it in until DD goes to bed and I'm alone in the shower. I feel like I'm completely beat up today. My goal is just survive until April 16th. I know after the 15th my work hours will be decreased and some of my stress will be gone. I think starting tomorrow we are going to decrease our open to the public hours and change the voicemail to help me not spend so much time sanitizing the office over and over. Also dealing with freaking out clients is just exhausting.

[sdlaura]

186momx I would be totally closing public hours - I'd have people drop things off outside - if I were you. Aren't you in Washington state? People should get it. You shouldn't have to spend time cleaning!

[186momx]

sdlaura, Oregon and our county just had its first confirmed case. If anything our clients are being worse than usual.

[mustardseed2007]

I am crying. I mean, I feel like that's kind of self care?

I've been trying to eat dinner with the kids and put them to bed but I couldn't do that last night because something was happening live and it was taking all of my time and I was crying while I was handling it. Not having to talk to anyone in business on the phone, just actually handling something via social media, texting and email.

I want to workout or even just take a walk but I wake up in the morning and almost immediately start working. I watched an episode of big bang last night.

And I'm on here right now just because I was curious what is happening with you all since we are all over the country. But I have to go because I have stuff to do.

[rere]

Our first local cases just came up. I am packing my bag from work each day in case I can't come back.

The time at home has been a complete shitshow. They are treating it like a vacation since they don't have to get up early. DH was on the phone with his sister forever. I asked him if he was coming to bed, but he was still talking - so he lost the chance to go to bed in our room since he wakes me up with his nesting after I have went to sleep. Then I hear a bang on my bedroom door and screaming. It seems that DD and DS were wrestling at 10:30 at night in the hallway about who needs to fee the dog. I end up screaming down the hall that I am going to take their phones and everything they own and put them in my purse and take them with me if they wake me up again. We are going to have a long talk about rules during this thing tonight.

DH was just covering the phone during my screaming going shhhhh!!!! because his sister could hear which made me yell I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!

[mommyatty]

When I have time, I’m reading silly romance novels on my iPad.

[rere]

So maybe my selfcare is sometime you have to scream at people and it will probably happen, and it's ok.

[waverly]

Mar 19, 2020 15:17:14 GMT -5 rere said:

So maybe my selfcare is sometime you have to scream at people and it will probably happen, and it's ok.

Yes I yelled at patrons on Sunday. They were closing in on me like locusts. I yelled at DD today because DS had an online lunch, and she would not stop asking me questions.

[twinmomma]

I think my Netflix account knows I need some self care. It's prompting me with a huge list of comedies and romantic comedies on my home screen. I've been crawling into bed early and putting one on to fall asleep to the last couple nights. Much needed cheesy escapism.

[mrsGreeko]

I spend a lot of time currently really focusing on anything good I can that is coming out of all of this (things like a slower pace of life is good, we can’t overspend on eating out for the time being, we can watch TV as a family every night, Etc). Whenever I start to really spiral I focus hard on those things and it actually helps.

I take a long hot bubble bath every Friday night with a face mask and watch netflix and just zone out.

I walk daily. That’s the best thing for my mental health.

[sdlaura]

186momx, looks like the tax deadline was moved to July for the whole country?