Tag Archives: prozac withdrawal

New starts

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It’s not exactly a spring-like atmosphere outside, but there are green shoots appearing in our household. The most significant one is that, from the week after half term, B will be going to a childminder three mornings a week. This is to free up more time for work, whether employment from “proper” jobs, or continued freelance work. It’s a big deal as B has never been left with anyone other than family before – and then only very immediate family (i.e my mum). I am actually feeling more apprehensive about this than with his older brother.

B is lucky – due to a combination of circumstances, he’s been with one or the other of us at home for his first two years of life. I realise this is an incredibly privileged position these days and I am far from complaining. I actually think the time away from us will be great – new experiences, different stimulation (and – I hope – less hearing “just watch CBeebies while I cook this dinner/do the washing/answer this email”). But he is still incredibly clingy with me, and I doubt will view this latest development with total enthusiasm at the start. Plus being older he will be more able to express his displeasure, and put up more of a physical resistance.

But the good thing about change is that it happens in spite of us – and I am confident that the childminder (who is lovely and lives close/has kids the same age) will be great with him. Leaving his brother in nursery when he was one felt like a huge separation, and it was the beginning of a new stage for us all. This shift, although smaller (B will be spending fewer hours away from us than T) feels like the start of yet another stage. And, come September when T starts school, another will begin.

I am also secretly hoping that the extra stimulation will encourage him to sleep more at night. That may be a dream too far, though…

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I’ve been a bit quiet on this blog lately as I’ve been doing interview prep in my spare time, but this week I did pop along to Prozac Withdrawal to do a post on PND and mindfulness. Please have a read if you’ve got a moment and follow her!

Sick of it

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Look away now if you don’t fancy reading a rant. I wouldn’t blame you – you’ve probably much better things to do, like some work, or making a snowman.

But if you’re still with me – at what point is it ok to stop being all patient, all caring, all sleeplessly nurturing, and start screaming at your children, “just stop being ill!”. After the two week quarantine-fest that was Christmas and New Year with the pox (both children), we had a day’s respite before the norovirus began. The littlest had it first, then me, then the man. Oldest child seems to have got off scot-free, but I put that down to eating about eight carrots a day (no exaggeration). He’s the colour of Graham Norton but has a lovely immune system.

It’s bad enough that the weather has been so bad. But having to stay away from other kids is particularly hard on us all – the kids miss their friends, I miss getting a cup of coffee, a chat with another adult, and a break in playing “three little pigs”.

I KNOW little kids get ill. It’s a fact of life, and important that they build up their immune systems. etc. But I am over it now. I’ve used up all my brow mopping, disinfecting, co-sleeping, entertaining energies. My winter quota has now been filled, so if anyone in the household gets poorly before March, they will get exceedingly short shrift, a spoon of Calpol and an admonition to buck the f*** up.

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I hope you joined me over at Jennifer’s Little World last Tuesday for the first leg of my virtual book tour. I’ll be over at A Mum’s Internal Monologue next Tuesday, Daft Mamma on 29th and Prozac Withdrawal on 5 Feb. I’ve also added another two dates to the tour – 12 Feb will see me guest posting on Talkmum, and on 19th at A Baby on Board. Look forward to seeing you there!

Postnatal Survival Guide – the tour

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Hear ye, hear ye!

I’m going on the first phase of my tour – (sadly without the big bus and adoring groupies) with The Postnatal Survival Guide over the next few weeks. Next Tuesday (15th Jan), I’ll be heading over to Jennifer’s Little World to guest blog about something topical and <ahem> discreetly plug the book :-) . Then on 22 Jan, I’ll be appearing on A Mum’s Internal Monologue, at Daftmamma on 29 Jan, and on Prozac Withdrawal on 5 Feb.

I’ll be announcing other dates as they are confirmed.

Please come and take a look (and follow these marvellous women’s blogs too) – and, as ever, leave a comment if you’re moved so to do. If you’d like me to add you to my tour list, please let me know and I’ll be more than happy to do a guest post on your blog.