I feel guilty asking for prayers when people are going through much worse things. But for over 2 weeks my family has been dealing with so much stress that I'm having trouble coping. It's nothing huge, just day after day of extremely over-emotional children wearing my patience so thin I feel like I'm losing my mind even with much calling out to God for help. It feels like a dark cloud pouring rain on my head with no break. I believe it's my cross, this cycle that returns every couple months where I just feel like I'm drowning. It feels like depression and anxiety, where I can't even take a full breath because my chest is too tight from stress. I'm a highly sensitive person and all 3 of my children are as well. That's A LOT of emotion for the 4 of us to deal with when all 4 of us crave calm, quiet, and order. Our delicate senses are assaulted by someone crying loudly or losing their temper or needing calming of their fears pretty much every moment of every day. Much of the time I can be the gentle, understanding mother I need to be to handle everyone, but during these dark cloud times I have so little to give even though I beg for God's help. I'm offering it up the best I can while waiting for it to pass. I hope I can be of some help to God as He tries to save souls in this dark time in the world. But I need a little more strength to bear it. Please ask God to send me enough.
Praying. You expressed yourself quite well. You have “maxxed out.” It happens to me, too. I don’t have three small children. But I did teach school for 30 years and it was emotionally stressful.
Paying for you PF!! Been there...done that!! If it makes it a little easier to endure ... just remember...you"re suffering is helping someones soul somewhere!
Yes, Our Lady's Psalter is my weapon of choice for you, too, PF! Lord, bring the peace that passes all understanding to this family! O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
I think maybe you need to step back and look at all the demands you make on yourself and be patient with yourself. You are navigating small children without a break all day long. HH is right. You are maxed out. Or as my mother used to say "at the end of your puckering string." Is there any way at all you can get away for a few hours a couple of times a week. Just some sanity time? It worked wonders for me. I had 3 young boys under the age of five in the north woods with no family support and a very busy husband. But I had friends who would take over for a few hours once in awhile and I hired sitters so I could get a break. I had little $. We were one one income but it was medicine!!! An absolute necessity. I believe you need some breaks PF without feeling guilty. I will keep you in my prayers.
This sounds like a good plan. Get out, by yourself, take a walk, visit the Blessed Sacrament, have lunch with a friend.
Ohhhh dear PF…. Please don’t be so hard on yourself! You’re a amazing person…your post exhibit so much wisdom and knowledge for such a young mum! It’s not you..it’s our crazy world. Older mothers like myself did not have the horrible challenges that you younger mums have. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You might want to give yourself some space and avoid the news. Find some good books, read to the children and get some time for yourself. Give your troubles to God…if not for but just a night! Praying for a young, wonderful, amazing mom…you!
Very wise, AED. I remember those days, especially Holy Mass at St. James, after Therese (our 5th) was born. Front pew with 4 kids in tow, watching Benjamin, our oldest, distractedly twirling his server's cincture up at the altar! Praying still, PF!
Yes, I was a lip-chewer back then! Easy to smile now, but when PF and her hubby are right in the midst of it this week, they need our loving intercession!
Thank you, I do think I need to get some alone time now and then. Once every couple weeks I go to an evening Mass with just my 8-year-old son while my husband watches the little ones and it is so wonderful! I'm trying to set up a regular time for hubby and I to trade off time alone with the Blessed Sacrament. I think it would do us both much good!
Watching my 8-year-old son kneel with the only other torch bearer on the same side of the altar because he was too self-conscious to walk to the other side alone was a big lip-biter for me a few weeks ago! Haha
I'm going to attempt taking my kids to the noon low Mass tomorrow by myself... Idk if that's crazy. But I'm desperate for more grace. Prayers it goes somewhat smoothly please!
PurpleFlower, I don't know whether my input will help or not, but here's my 2 cents worth: I homeschooled my children for primary school and every day after lunch everyone (me included) went to their own rooms to sleep, read, play with blocks, etc. for an hour. The main thing was it was quiet time. It really helped me, maybe it might help you.
