Self-care goal #2 – Have 15 minutes of quiet time every day

Well, this one is sort of taking care of itself – mostly.  Three days a week when I am home with the children I have almost four hours of quiet while they are on school.  I need to work on this more on the weekends, but the quiet time during the week is really helping me recharge my batteries.  I am feeling much better about this now, less stressed and less like I am stretched too thin.

I think on the weekends and on the days I work 10 hours, I simply need to let my family know that I need a few minutes of quiet to recoup then I’ll be ready for tickling, fun, games and general climb-on-Mama fun

Family Goal #7 – Make our home safer

Well, this is about to get much easier.  We’re moving next month to an apartment – no more stairs to worry about.  That’s going to simplify so much.  Then the biggest worry will be keeping her out of the kitchen.  We will be able to put a gate at her bedroom door – and we’re looking into soft toys and soft things for her room.  Her dresser will probably be in her closet at least until she’s bigger and understands more.

It has just been so difficult in this townhouse.  I’m going to miss the townhouse, but knowing she’s safer will be a HUGE relief.

Self-care Goal #1 – Depression

Well, I went to see my nurse practitioner about my depression – the increase in my symptoms since my daughter’s diagnosis.  She did give me a prescription to help, as well as a small amount of a sleep aid but she also recommended the following:

• Exercise
• Journal
• Talk to trusted friends and relatives
• Other methods of dealing with stress, depression, and sleep problems (like melatonin)

She wants to see me in a month to see how I’m doing.  I’ve taken the prescription twice now, and used the sleep aid one night – and I’m feeling much closer to my normal self.  I am functional, getting stuff done, and much more motivated.  I hope that this keeps up.  I’m also going out with a friend today, and seeing another friend tomorrow, so…more of a social life too.  That’s definitely a good thing for me right now; I’ve been really isolating myself lately.  So, I hope that I’m starting to make progress on this goal again.

Community Goal #6 – Participate in local cultural events

Some upcoming possibilities:

• 9/11 – 9/12 Wine Festival
• 9/10-9/12 Blues at the Beach
• 9/17 – 9/18 American Indian Festival
• 9/24 – 9/26 Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

And I believe there is another wine festival in October that I am already planning on attending with friends