Im overwhelmed......HELP!

I do not know where you live, but I am going to assume that you are not living near family. It may seem overwhelming, but I think you need to make some phone calls to a few different places. One to check into would be Head Start, or if there is not a Head Start, check with the school district about early childhood education. Get your kids that are old enough into a program, because they will learn some skills and you would get some time off, and it would be good for all of you. Secondly you need to call the social services agency in your area. In my state it is called Social and Rehabilitative Services, other states call it Department of Human Services. They will be able to tell you exactly what resources are available for you. Actually, if you made this contact first, they could help you about the first one. Since you do not drive, unless something is walking distance, it would be really hard to get there with all your kids. If you have a place to get outside, get outside with your kids. Try to be silly. Remember,the house will always be there, do not expect too much of yourself this far into your pregnancy. If getting online helps, come here, and talk to us. There is always someone up, always someone to talk to. Be kind to yourself and do not expect to much. A really useful key for dealing with kids is instead of saying "no" try to find a way to say "yes". If your kids, for instance, are getting into scissors, and cutting their doll clothes, say, "Here are some things you can cut, so you do not ruin your doll clothes." Are they coloring on the walls? Tape newspaper on the walls and let them have at it. Try to find a way to redirect them from the stuff that they should not be doing.

I was glad to see you started a discussion, but sorry to hear of your difficulties. First let me say that it is completely NORMAL to have these feelings. Next, that the love you have for your children will carry you through ANYTHING, but remember to love yourself, too. Good luck to you and your family. You are all precious.

I am so sorry you can't take your meds and feel so trapped. I sympathize with you but you will have a beautiful baby in 10 weeks. I suggest you call your doctor and see if he/she can recommend any medication to take for the next few weeks that won't interfere with your pregnancy. Can also suggest you call a family member and explain how you feel. There has to be someone who can help either in your family or your circle of friends. You might also contact the elementary school in your district where your kids will be attending and see what they suggest. Maybe contact your church and talk to the minister/priest explaining your situation and how you feel. Should be social services in your area too that you can contact. Above all, don't let it go. Do something soon so you don't feel alone and trapped. Those of us on myLot who responded to this discussion have offered some very good ideas and we do care. Bless you, carolbee

I'm bipolar too. Are you on any antidepressants at least? Because there are some that are okay to take during pregnancy. I have another suggestion, but you might find it hard to do. I recently stopped eating anything with gluten. So no wheat, and hardly anything with flour...I did it because it was supposed to get rid of my migraines. But in the meantime I found it did something else. It made me feel good! Being bipolar, it's always been a struggle to feel good about anything. But cutting out gluten made my moods better, I had more energy, and I felt calm. And you don't just find gluten free products in the health food store anymore. At Walmart I found gluten free Bisquick mix. I can make a lot of stuff with that, and not worry about the gluten. Fruits, veggies, eggs, those aren't off limit either. It's just a matter of deciding to do it. I'm sorry I can't give you a quick solution. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be pregnant, and without important medication. I've often wondered how I would handle having a baby one day if it meants going off of my medication.

wow do you have anyone that can help you with your kids? take them out for a bit? what does your doctor say about your meds? there must be something you can take.

My husband is bipolar so I can appreciate how you are feeling to a certain extent. He has been able to manage his condition with the right medication which took years to work out adequate dosages for so I feel for you not being able to take anything due to the fact that you are pregnant. Firstly I feel you need someone to help you, even if it is to take the children for a day or two a week so that you could catch up on household chores on one day and have the other day off just for you. If you don’t have anyone to take the kids have you considered some kind of part time day care? Secondly I would go and see your doctor about how you feel your condition and medication. I am a mum and I understand how tough it can be especially when you have several that are so young. I hope you can find some relief and I wish you the best of luck, don’t forget to get hubby to help out more too!

I notice from your response to someone else that you live with family but they're not helping. Have you asked them for help? Sometimes parents and grandparents are hesitant about getting involved in case it's mistaken as "interfering". If they can't or won't help, then I suggest you make use of local agencies. I'm in the UK so I'm not sure what's available where you are, but here we have organisations providing support for parents with young children. I imagine you will have something similar. Don't be afraid or embarassed about asking for help. 3 children under six is a lot for anyone to cope with, whether bipolar or not. And as a couple of others have already said, personally I would call a halt to more babies after the new arrival. No matter what the circumstances, 4 young children will be incredibly demanding. You're young so you will probably have the stamina to cope physically with it, but it will be tough at times. Also remember the way you're feeling now probably has a lot to do with the fact that you are pregnant and therefore a little "hormonal"! Not being able to take your usual medication will be having an effect too - are you sure there isn't an alternative you can take? It might be worth checking with your doctor if you haven't already done so.

Do you have family or friends/neighbors who can occasionally help? Raising kids is no picnic under the best of circumstances. We all need a day off for our selves. Sounds like you really need a break. Hope you can get one. Good luck.

I think the first piece of advice I am going to give you is to have your tubes tied as soon as possible after your baby is born. If my math skills serve me correctly, you are going to be dealing with FOUR kids under the age of 6 in a few weeks, and that is enough to drive ANYONE crazy. Adding a fifth baby to the equation would certainly NOT be a good idea. Perhaps life will get a little easier once you can start taking your meds again, however, I get the feeling that your kids are the source of most of your problems, and you are probably going to need some help with them. Do you have family or friends that can help you? Maybe a nanny would be a good idea?

My daughter is bipolar so I can sympathize with you. One thing you may need to do after this child is born is close the baby producing shop for good. Either you or your husband or to be safer even both need to close the shop. You must have family and friends that can give a hand with your heavy load. Reach out to them? Check with social services and see if you can get a couple of volunteers to help you out. You can't handle this alone! Ask for help locally!

Oh sorry about that. Your situation is really hard and you are still young to go through it. Why don't you call a relative or friend to stay with you for a while? Taking care of a child under 6 is a bit hard, how much more 3 kids? Just pray to God, I think you are brave enough to have gotten so far.

Reach out to the people around you. Are you active in a church or community organization? Maybe you know some neighbors who would be willing to help you out with the kids from time to time. Maybe find a 14 or 15 year old (or even younger if you are comforatable) who will come to the house 1 or 2 days a week and play wiht the kids for a small sum of money. Things will get easier for you when yo are able to go back on your medication s know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there and be the best mommy that you can be.