Depression rears it's ugly head again

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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by raj007 »

aedes wrote:i'm assuming money is tight, but any chance you could send her to a part time preschool so you can have some time for yourself? even just a couple days a week could make a big difference and you can keep getting to the gym or turn up the amps ?
Im a "work from home" stay at home dad as well. Our daughter is nearly 3. When she was about a year and a half we started taking her to a "Mom's day out" program (yes, I am the "mom" in this scenario) which runs from 9-1. We did 2 days a week for a while and now she's at 3 days a week.

We do it through a church and we pay $135/month. Super cheap in my opinion. And let me tell you, I love , LOVE my daughter but that time that I get to myself now has made a huge difference.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by aens_wife »

I totally understand what you are going through. This winter has been really hard for me, in a way that I haven't experienced since college.

Being a SAHP was awful for me. I need to be around other people. I need to feel busy and productive. I never felt that way when I was home with kids. Other people love it, but for me it was an impossible task that I could not continue. Remember that it is ok to say "this is not for me".

I have no good advice, only commiseration. I hope that the sun coming back helps. In Wis., winter is usually a little rough (can't go outside, no sun, etc), but this one has been especially bad. I keep reminding myself that spring is around the corner.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by sears »

I am a stay at home dad. Go running. Get a kettlebell. Time management is different. It's such a different skill, taking life in 20-40 minute chunks, as to make you all but useless to the outside world. But, you know, it can be the right thing to do and that in itself it enough sometimes.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by Snufkino »

jwar wrote:She told me to go out of town and hang out with someone I know from here or Facebook but how do I do???

I just need a break. A re-charge. Something. Anything. I'm getting desperate.
Buy a papoose and take your daughter out on wacky adventures
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by Jwar »

Snufkino wrote:
jwar wrote:She told me to go out of town and hang out with someone I know from here or Facebook but how do I do???

I just need a break. A re-charge. Something. Anything. I'm getting desperate.
Buy a papoose and take your daughter out on wacky adventures
Is that just like a carrier thing? I don't need that anymore since she's 4. I can take her out more and that's a good idea. She'd love it. I just need to do it and stop talking about it.

aens_wife wrote:I totally understand what you are going through. This winter has been really hard for me, in a way that I haven't experienced since college.

Being a SAHP was awful for me. I need to be around other people. I need to feel busy and productive. I never felt that way when I was home with kids. Other people love it, but for me it was an impossible task that I could not continue. Remember that it is ok to say "this is not for me".

I have no good advice, only commiseration. I hope that the sun coming back helps. In Wis., winter is usually a little rough (can't go outside, no sun, etc), but this one has been especially bad. I keep reminding myself that spring is around the corner.
See this is where I'm at. A lot of people want to be in this position but not me. It's lonely you know? If I had any human interaction during the day other than calling my wife 5-6 times, I'd probably be happier. I just need to get out and about.

Louise, I don't know if you know this, but I respect the hell out of you. :) I really, really hope you can come to our little get together in August. You and Ben are such inspirations to me and I love hanging out with him, so I'm sure the same would apply for yourself. ;)


I'm feeling better today. I went out to the gym and destroyed myself and right now I'm etching a piece of wood with something really cool on it. So that's got me excited. Plus I stained a piece of wood with an image of my sister and youngest daughter on it. Sad thing is my sister doesn't want to be apart of my life anymore, but I still love her to death and want her to be happy. I'm thinking about mailing it to her.

Anyway, you guys really help me. I don't know if you know that. I consider you all like family. Even when I seem like I'm angry, I still love you all. I mean that too. In a way (and this might sound pathetic), I think I'd be lost without my ILF family. When I talk about you folks, and I do a lot, it's like I'm talking about some of my best friends, which in truth you all are. This is what people are missing out on in this community. It's a community for most of us. I mean, where else could I bare my soul like this and not be shamed??? Probably no where, that's where.

So thank you all for the encouragement and for the phone numbers. Those that gave them up, you may get a call some time. You may not. :) The only person I've randomly called is Jack and that was because I was on pain killers and wanted to mess with him for some reason.

Seriously though, you guys are the absolute best.
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-JWAR :)
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by D.o.S. »

:hug:
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by Iommic Pope »

Yeah jwar, big hugs man.
Dont forget with depression, it doesnt matter how awesome you make your life, the bastard thing will always be there, lurking in the background.
Just identify that it is what it is and let it runnits course. Become abpassive observer to it and try to go about shit as usual while it flows over, dont get cauggt up in the avalanche of bullshit.
Definitely do shit with your daughter.

Have you got some camping gear or an outdoor thing you can do? If you're able to get some you time over a weekend, go solo camping or grab a couple of good friends and get away from your responsibilities for a brief while.

Just remember that youve gone from having a heap of shit on your plate and have rapidly downsized to just these duties, which are still important, but probably not stimulating (or stressing you) as much as things used to, and your brain has probably not adjusted to it and is finding problems to solve where there may not be any.
Not dismissing your feelings, but have a think about that because, depending on the type of person you are, that can he relevant.
Definitely find something to do that satisfies you, though. Treat it like a reward to get to when youve done a good job dadlyfing the rest of the day maybe?
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by actual »

I'm kinda new here and still a kid in many aspects, but please don't take this the wrong way. Your value lies in who you are, not what you do, what job you have, the amount of wealth/debt or however many buddies/failed relationships you have. You're valuable cause you're you. It might sound corny as fuck, but it's true. Also, to me, devoting yourself to stay at home to take care of your seed, is incredibly honourable and respectable.
Having dealt with a lot of the things you describe myself, I can relate on so many points. Depression, feelings of worthlessness and despair are still monsters I have to battle on a daily basis, but it's getting better, as I start recognize my own value. My value to myself that is, not other people.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnLoToJVQH4[/youtube]
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by codetocontra »

Jwar, you are brave for putting your struggles out there. Sounds like a lot of us have some issues too. Comiserating can be helpful to a point. Sometimes it is easy to offer a suggestion from another view, maybe some things we can't see due to the fog of war surrounding our brains.

Suggestions for daily activities can be tough, getting out of the house almost always costs money, which also seems to be a problem.

You are in KC, right? Weather is still too shitty here to do much outside, but visiting playgrounds, parks, lakes would be fun when the weather warms up. Plus free. Also the time of year that going to a frozen lake wouldn't work either.

There are a couple of indoor playgrounds around here. One is free at the mall. Or even McDonalds or Burger King. Let the kid run around while stuffing your nugget hole with nuggets. Or not. Unhealthy food though, obviously. But I love McDonalds breakfast or even just coffee. Seriously never eat that stuff myself, due to already being a semi-fat fuck as well as monies.

How are the public libraries near you? Some might have an interesting kids section. Maybe make it part of a weekly routine where you go and read a few books, and take a few home.

How is the local zoo? Season family passes might not be terribly priced, might be a fun place to hit every few weeks and get some exercise while letting your daughter have some fun too. There are plenty of indoor exhibits here, but Henry Doorly Zoo is pretty tops, not all zoos are equal. During the work week is the best time to avoid crowds too.

Do you have a gym membership? Do they offer swimming lessons for kids? My daughter was about that age when she started swimming at a local gym that my parents were paying for. When we got slow at work I was taking Wednesdays off to take her to the lessons, which then resulted in her making me get in the pool after the lessons. Then she insisted on holding on to my back while I swam laps for fun. Great bonding.

What is this Kids Club thing? Like daycare? This might be one of those things where you have to lay down the law and be the one in charge by insisting she go. Kids are pretty adaptive, she might stop complaining after it becomes a regular routine for her.

Daytime bowling could be a blast with bumpers.

Your role in your daughters life is tremendous to her development. Don't ever be ashamed of staying home or underestimate your importance in your family.

Try to arrange some date nights with your wife. Your relationship is important too. A modest evening out for a few hours, even just dinner, would help you to stay connected to each other without the little ones demanding your attention. It can be hard too. On the rare occasion the wife and I go out we often end up talking about our girls and how much fun they are likely having with their grandparents and/or cousins. We tend to make it a dinner and concert night too. Getting her out to talk to my friends helps her too since she is a stay at home mom.

Hope something here helps man. :hug:
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by sears »

I already said a couple of things, and I don't want to scare you but untreated or self-treated depression can make it seem like you don't enjoy being a parent. Which can be taken by your kids that you don't like them. I was the kid and as a result, as a parent I always worry whether I am depressed.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

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Thanks for all the responses guys!!

Tomorrow I'm set up for the day and taking the kids on a treasure hunt, to the library and possibly a movie. :) You guys are right about bonding. I need to start engaging more here and stop moping.
sears wrote:I already said a couple of things, and I don't want to scare you but untreated or self-treated depression can make it seem like you don't enjoy being a parent. Which can be taken by your kids that you don't like them. I was the kid and as a result, as a parent I always worry whether I am depressed.

I totally agree with you here. The trouble with me is I'm bipolar. So I am being treated and have been for many, many years. The harsh reality of bipolar disorder is to some extent there is nothing you can do about the way you react. You can lessen it, and make it better, which I have, but I will still deal with this shit the rest of my life unless someone comes up with a cure. Which is doubtful. I used to be so bad, I'd go off on someone and not even remember it happening even minutes later.

When I was a child, my father abused me physical and mentally. It's not a fun thing to talk about, but it was extremely damaging to me as a young man. I battle with those emotions to this day and have made it my priority to NEVER let my children experience what I did. If I ever fly off the handle and am mean and nasty, I make for damn sure to apologize and I even beg for their forgiveness and tell them all I want in life is to be a good father to them. I was bad, now I'm much better. I never hit my kids outside of a few spankings years back (with my palm and not hard). I don't believe in putting your hands on your children.

I consider myself a pretty good dad. I just get overwhelmed you know?


Anyway, I'm very thankful for you folks and love that you're willing to offer me this help I so desperately needed. Just talking to you all has helped me tremendously.
"I do not have the ability to think rationally 90% of the time and I also change my mind at the drop of a hat".

-JWAR :)
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by aens_wife »

jwar wrote:
I consider myself a pretty good dad. I just get overwhelmed you know?
Man. This is true for all of us. We all get overwhelmed and we all have our shit to deal with. The fact that you are actively working to own up to yours and deal with your issues is all that matters.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by sears »

Your eyes are open. You are asking the right questions and I applaud your openness.
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Re: Depression rears it's ugly head again

Post by Jwar »

Thanks everyone again!

Today I had a plan! I told the girls we were going to go on a scavenger hunt at the park, to the gym and to the library and maybe even a movie.

It snowed, so the scavenger hunt didn't happen unfortunately. My littlest is still battling a cold to, so I didn't want to push my luck with that. So I told them that I was going to the gym. They were great about it and things went well. Chest workout destroyed! LOL! :) Then we went to lunch at Culvers because what kid doesn't like ice cream. Inside we played Eye Spy for about 30 minutes (it was just my 4 year old and 7 year old today) and then we ate and chilled a bit. After lunch we went to the library. I let them do whatever they wanted there. We looked at movies, books and I let them play (the local library has a cool little play area for kids). We spent about an hour in the library and they loved it.

The movie didn't work out either. Turns out there aren't really any kid friends movies out right now, so I have to wait until Friday for Beauty and the Beast. Which is cool because I'm looking forward to seeing it as well!

Tomorrow we are going to do that damn scavenger hunt come hell or high water!

The point is, you guys had some killer suggestions and the only thing I spent money on was lunch! Maybe when it warms up we can go on a picnic. :)

Thanks so much for all the encouragement and help. Love you all. Seriously.
"I do not have the ability to think rationally 90% of the time and I also change my mind at the drop of a hat".

-JWAR :)
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