Stay at home mom depression is real, and you are not alone.
Although it is society rarely discusses the loneliness, isolation, and loss of identity that can accompany this choice.
According to some resources, stay at home mom depression affects more than a quarter of non-working parents.
What Causes Depression in Stay-at-Home Moms?
Being a stay-at-home mom can be very stressful. It doesn’t require only the childcare duties, but also doing housework, shopping and handling repairs by default, because she is the one who is at home.
Before becoming a mom, you may have worked in some job. Outside of the home, your dedication and work were recognized. When you began maternity leave and subsequently transitioned to remaining at home with your infant, you may have felt that your identity was stripped away and replaced with one word (Mom). This may leave you feeling depressed and isolated.
Stay at home mom depression symptoms:
- Irritability.
- overwhelming sadness.
- Feeling loneliness.
- Feeling you don’t want to leave the bed.
- Don’t have the willing to do what you used to do.
Six Simple Steps to help you cope with stay-at-home mom depression:
1- Put yourself first:
It’s ok to put yourself first, even before kids! Because if you are not taking care of yourself, you cannot take care of anyone else.
Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you’re not taking care of your family, but it simply means that you are the soul of the household and you have to be cared for and supported, or the whole family suffers.
2- Make preparations:
If you’re a full-time stay-at-home parent, connect with other moms to organize activities that don’t involve your children. While playdates with children are enjoyable, adult time is just as necessary.
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3- Disconnect from social media:
Avoid messages that promote the impression that all mothers should keep their homes immaculate and desire to be with their children throughout the day.
4- Make a note of it:
Establish predetermined, allocated hours for alone. If you know you’re going to yoga at 4:00 p.m., this can be quite beneficial. Are you not able to afford the cost of a sitter? Consider participating in a babysitting exchange with another family. Establish a date.
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5- Become a member of a moms’ group:
Creating a network of stay-at-home mothers may be quite beneficial since it allows you to compare notes with other moms and simply share some of the sentiments you are experiencing.
Depression among stay-at-home mothers is a serious thing. It’s tempting to dismiss it as simply being tired or frustrated or to believe that you shouldn’t be complaining because other moms have it much worse. However, any SAHM chat room will reveal threads upon threads of similar voices.
6- Avoid negative people:
Avoid negative people who will make your depression worse. While you can’t avoid everyone, you can make sure the majority of people in your life are supporting you and are always there for you.
The Verdict:
If you’re desperate to return to work or take on a part-time job, there’s no shame in doing so. However, there are strategies to work through despair for individuals who wish or are required to remain at home. Communicate with a friend, keep a journal, join online support groups, plan coffee and dinner dates, and strive toward a goal—whether it’s running a marathon or completing a do-it-yourself project. Having something to look forward to may assist you in breaking free from the loneliness.
You, too, deserve some downtime. While you enjoy some undisturbed “me” time, have your partner or a trustworthy caretaker watch your child. This can leave you feeling revitalized and more prepared to tackle tomorrow’s childcare and housekeeping.
If depression interferes with your daily life or feels overwhelming, do not hesitate to seek professional help. She may offer talk therapy, support groups, or antidepressant medication, depending on the severity of your symptoms.