Taking Care of Mom - Dealing With Depression

Shouldn't it be a bed of roses? Indeed, it should, but life doesn't follow the rules we set for it.

Marsha was dealing with depression, which can make every aspect of every day more difficult, even if you can still complete all of your tasks. It takes so much out of you that it is hard to ignore, and I'm glad that she didn't ignore it.

However, since medication isn't the answer (or the complete answer) for everyone, I have some more tips for moms that they might use for a milder depression, or just because we should.

Moms should take some time to shake things up. We do the same things day-in-and-day-out and that tends to wear on a person. There are many ways that a mom can do this. I'm going to list some of them to help you out.

Time for yourself - whether it's getting a sitter and going shopping or just taking an hour in the bath (without any children in it!), it is extremely important to take time for yourself.

I know as well as anyone that parenting is a 24-7 job, but if we don't recharge those mom batteries, we have less patience with our children and that leads to conflict which only wears us out more.

All people who work get time off. Don't forget to take some for yourself.

Go out with friends - It's so nice to get a change of scenery, even for 2 nights a month. Find a local mommy's group and go out for a while. I joined a mommy's group some time ago and it was fabulous. All we did was go out to a local pool hall and shoot a few games, but I came home feeling like I could tackle anything and the feeling stayed for days.

Make time for your hobbies - What do you like to do? Reading, stitching, quilting, writing, gaming, or jogging are good ways to re-center yourself. What is your hobby? Make some time for it and see how much of a difference it makes when you're doing the tasks that no mom actually likes to do...be it changing diapers or loading the dishwasher.

Get out with the kids - Talk about shaking things up, take the kids for an outing. Maybe you can head to the park and meet some other moms watching their children on the slide. If it's cold out, you can go to an indoor play area and let the children burn off some energy. Many indoor play areas are in some type of eatery, so pick up some lunch someplace different. It probably won't be healthy for the body, but it'd be great for the soul.

Think about taking a class - whether at your local college or your local fitness center, think about taking a class that will keep your mind and body challenged. Maybe you'd like to take up yoga, or meditation. Maybe you saw a stepping class advertised in the paper you glanced at this morning. If you're interested, try it out.

Share babysitting with other moms - Always a tried and true favorite, share babysitting time with other mothers that you trust. You take their kids one day a week and vice versa. It may seem like something you don't 'need' to do, but make the time, if you can.

Not single? Spend some time with your biggest child - Make a date night with dad on occasion. Not only will it get you away from the wee ones for a few hours, but it'll help your relationship.

Herbal remedies - Some herbal and homeopathic remedies can help you battle depression without turning to pharmaceuticals. They can also fight fatigue and other things that might be plaguing you. If you can, find a local herbalist or homeopath and make an appointment. Herbal remedies are a cheap and easy way to help you stay physically and emotionally healthy.

Lipstick - Call me crazy, but even women during the Depression knew that buying lipstick can help you feel better. I can't explain it, but it really does work.

Most importantly, remember that you are the CEO of your own family company, and CEOs always get time off. Never forget to take care of yourself. Goodness knows that your children need you...not just a mom on autopilot but the real you.