Comments on: Apparently we have a black dog in the family and it has been here some time http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/ Pregnancy, babies and small children: the truth about motherhood. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:45:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Kitty http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-308 Kitty Wed, 29 Mar 2006 01:25:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-308 I've got no advice for you but I can certainly throw some more bloggy hugs your way :) I’ve got no advice for you but I can certainly throw some more bloggy hugs your way :)

]]> By: Jenny http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-307 Jenny Thu, 23 Mar 2006 10:46:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-307 Much love to you, Ella! I've found that lasting happiness for me often relies on my ability to put myself first occasionally, and indulge some of the parts of myself that get lost in mothering. It's still a struggle, and my youngest is three. I require a lot of quiet downtime to recharge mentally, and I simply don't get it. Blogging helps me put a funny spin and perspective on the day-to-day...I find that my life is much more interesting when told as a story. With three kids, the ratio of adults to kids is all screwed up, and it can feel like you are in constant triage, trying to meet the needs of everyone. Take some time for yourself, too. Happiness (for me) is being in balance. I've spent years denying that I needed to have a life outside of my family, and now that I've begun to reclaim it, the balance is coming back. Much love to you, Ella! I’ve found that lasting happiness for me often relies on my ability to put myself first occasionally, and indulge some of the parts of myself that get lost in mothering. It’s still a struggle, and my youngest is three.

I require a lot of quiet downtime to recharge mentally, and I simply don’t get it. Blogging helps me put a funny spin and perspective on the day-to-day…I find that my life is much more interesting when told as a story.

With three kids, the ratio of adults to kids is all screwed up, and it can feel like you are in constant triage, trying to meet the needs of everyone. Take some time for yourself, too. Happiness (for me) is being in balance. I’ve spent years denying that I needed to have a life outside of my family, and now that I’ve begun to reclaim it, the balance is coming back.

]]> By: Mel http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-306 Mel Wed, 22 Mar 2006 11:31:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-306 I've been battling depression on some level for years. Mommyhood has definitely given it a boost. Meds were a last resort for me, but it's been the ONLY thing to help. I’ve been battling depression on some level for years. Mommyhood has definitely given it a boost. Meds were a last resort for me, but it’s been the ONLY thing to help.

]]> By: tangerinecath http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-305 tangerinecath Tue, 21 Mar 2006 21:10:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-305 Like you, I think I'm borderline depressive all the time. I've been treated for it on and off all my adult life. I'm currently being weaned off the latest round of antidepressants following a particularly nasty episode upon my return to work following Maternity Leave. I've done a number of things to help myself; new hobbies (photography, web design), making an effort to speak to and see friends even though it's hard when you work full time and have a little one, I'm getting some exercise, I'm trying (unsuccessfully!) lose weight to try and improve my self esteem, we go out as a family at the weekend, I don't drink as much as I used to. It's all hard work and I'm very busy but it seems to be working for me. Like you, I think I’m borderline depressive all the time. I’ve been treated for it on and off all my adult life. I’m currently being weaned off the latest round of antidepressants following a particularly nasty episode upon my return to work following Maternity Leave.

I’ve done a number of things to help myself; new hobbies (photography, web design), making an effort to speak to and see friends even though it’s hard when you work full time and have a little one, I’m getting some exercise, I’m trying (unsuccessfully!) lose weight to try and improve my self esteem, we go out as a family at the weekend, I don’t drink as much as I used to.

It’s all hard work and I’m very busy but it seems to be working for me.

]]> By: Sarangeti http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-304 Sarangeti Mon, 20 Mar 2006 04:47:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-304 Will big hugs from bloggy pals help? If so, I'm sending you a dump truck FULL of them! Will big hugs from bloggy pals help? If so, I’m sending you a dump truck FULL of them!

]]> By: tomama http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-303 tomama Sun, 19 Mar 2006 01:45:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-303 Oh Ella, I wish I knew the happiness solution. For me meds were totally the answer (I know they aren't for everyone, back away Tom Cruise, just back away). I had people suggesting everything under the sun to me - talk to a therapist; no, don't be introspective, volunteer instead; exercise; relax; eat more; eat less; blah blah blah. Once my seratonin was brought into balance I do what I always did but I'm just more content with it. Oh Ella,

I wish I knew the happiness solution. For me meds were totally the answer (I know they aren’t for everyone, back away Tom Cruise, just back away). I had people suggesting everything under the sun to me - talk to a therapist; no, don’t be introspective, volunteer instead; exercise; relax; eat more; eat less; blah blah blah. Once my seratonin was brought into balance I do what I always did but I’m just more content with it.

]]> By: urban-mom http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-302 urban-mom Thu, 16 Mar 2006 05:49:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-302 Thanks for your support and sympathy on my blog from the other night. It was helpful. As a mother of 2 older kids, and a mental health professional, I can tell you that post-partum depression is as common as swollen boobs. A lot of it is hormonal, but some of it, as you indicated, may be the hormones exaggerating an allready exsisting underlying depression. What to do? Well, my personal and professional experience tells me to get support from friends (be them on line or elsewhere), hang in there with faith that it will pass, and if need be seek professional help if if doesn't get better soon. It's better to talk to strange mental health provider who can help, then to feel crummy all the time. It's not only better for you, but your baby as well. Please keep in touch and let me know how it's going. Thanks for your support and sympathy on my blog from the other night. It was helpful. As a mother of 2 older kids, and a mental health professional, I can tell you that post-partum depression is as common as swollen boobs. A lot of it is hormonal, but some of it, as you indicated, may be the hormones exaggerating an allready exsisting underlying depression. What to do? Well, my personal and professional experience tells me to get support from friends (be them on line or elsewhere), hang in there with faith that it will pass, and if need be seek professional help if if doesn’t get better soon. It’s better to talk to strange mental health provider who can help, then to feel crummy all the time. It’s not only better for you, but your baby as well. Please keep in touch and let me know how it’s going.

]]> By: Olivia http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-301 Olivia Wed, 15 Mar 2006 20:35:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-301 Sorry to hear what the HV had to say. Basic needs, eg sleep, food and exercise, are the most important then you need to take care of the other things like relationships and spiritual stuff. Please e-mail me: I've had similar problems but am feeling much happier now and I'd be more than happy to share my experiences. Sorry to hear what the HV had to say. Basic needs, eg sleep, food and exercise, are the most important then you need to take care of the other things like relationships and spiritual stuff. Please e-mail me: I’ve had similar problems but am feeling much happier now and I’d be more than happy to share my experiences.

]]> By: Sarah http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-300 Sarah Wed, 15 Mar 2006 17:14:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-300 I can recommend Landmark for their courses. You might find them worth a look. http://www.landmarkeducation.com/ I can recommend Landmark for their courses. You might find them worth a look.

http://www.landmarkeducation.com/

]]> By: mommy d http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-299 mommy d Wed, 15 Mar 2006 11:11:00 +0000 http://mostleast.com/2006/03/14/apparently-we-have-a-black-dog-in-the-family-and-it-has-been-here-some-time-2/#comment-299 Since I have been battling depression I know what helps me is to be with friends with kids the same age. They can relate and help me through my tough times. Also to get as much sleep as I can. When I don't sleep well, no one is happy! I love to listen to music too. It makes me happy and when the kids and I start dancing around I forget all my worries. Good luck on finding your way. I will have to bookmark your new site! Since I have been battling depression I know what helps me is to be with friends with kids the same age. They can relate and help me through my tough times. Also to get as much sleep as I can. When I don’t sleep well, no one is happy! I love to listen to music too. It makes me happy and when the kids and I start dancing around I forget all my worries. Good luck on finding your way. I will have to bookmark your new site!

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