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baby blues

any advice for dealing with the baby blues?? I'm a SAHM for the first time and living in S FL with no family around. Most of very few friends work and Ive been looking for mommy groups to get out and meet other moms with no luck. I had a hard after delivery and didn't walk for a good 3 months. Now baby is 5 months old and it just seems like the days are getting longer and longer. Somtimes I feel like I have too much time on my hands and think wayyyyyyyyy to much.

any and all suggestions would be welcomed

thanks

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by vMom on June 15, 2012 at 9:02pm

My husband is in the military, so I have no family around either. I have joined a group called MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and I love it. It's a Christian organization for moms with children of ages conception-preschool. We meet twice a month, and I have met other moms there and a several of us run three times a week and have a playdate at the park afterwards. At first my LO was too young to play at the park (6 months), but now she swings in the swing. It sounds silly, but it gets me out of the house. And if you knew me, you'd be shocked that I'm in a running group (we started with the Couch to 5K program). This is what worked for me. Just get out of the house. At this point, you don't need to be BFFs with other moms, just have something to do schedule with them so you're forced to jump in the shower and freshen up for an appointment. That alone will help you feel better, and the change of scenery (getting out of the house) will be great for you and baby.

Also, you can google moms groups in your city and see what comes up. Here in Columbus, GA there is a website called Muscogee Moms that has all kinds of activities posted on a city wide calendar. Oh, and there's always Meetup.com. Also, check for the library readings for babies, you might meet some moms there. It seems sort of ridiculous to take a 5 month old to activities around town, but it really is good for them, and really really good for you to meet other people there. And remember, if you do ever come across a mom that doesn't seem super friendly, she might have the baby blues, too.

I'm really impressed that after not walking for 3 months, just 2 months later you're looking to figure this out. I really think you will be out and about in no time and feeling great again. If I can do it, I know you can. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by sabrina on June 30, 2012 at 10:32pm

thank you very much. Lots of good ideas and I think it all comes down to gettting up and get moving. I guess you can always sit and say poor me or you can do somthing about it. I the type to sit for a little bit then you gota just pull yourself up by your boots.

Thanks again for the great ideas.

Permalink Reply by vMom on July 1, 2012 at 11:23am

I'm so glad you're getting out and about and feeling better! That's great news!

Permalink Reply by Suzie Weesner on June 18, 2012 at 5:53pm

I had this same problem. I lived in Michigan for my husband's job and our closest family was over 4 hours away. What worked for me was getting involved with a workout class called Baby Boot Camp. It's a little pricey, but it was just what I needed to feel better about myself by working out and having a reason to get out of the house 3-4 times a week and interact with other moms. It was definately a life saver for me and worth the money just because of the interaction I was able to get outside of the house! You can go to the Baby Boot Camp website to see if there are classes around where you live and living in Florida I would guess that there are some. It's even better that you get to get a workout without having to leave your baby in a day care or whatever. :)

Permalink Reply by sabrina on June 30, 2012 at 10:33pm

thank you so very much great ideas.

Permalink Reply by Katie, Mom365 Host on June 18, 2012 at 6:09pm

Great suggestions here. When my son was 10 months we moved across the country where we didn't know anyone. I signed my son up for a class at Gymboree. It's not cheap, but it was worth the price for me because you could go to open playtimes 3-4 days a week in addition to the class. It gave us somewhere to go, and we saw many of the same moms and babies repeatedly, which is better when trying to strike up mom friendships I think. I made a couple of really good friends there. Plus, we used to drop into the Gymboree in NYC (where we moved from) when my son was between 4-9 months because they offered a free mommy and me play hour once a week. So some place like that might be worth checking out. Some other ideas:

--Park/community centers in your area might offer mommy and me classes

--Children's museum or aquariums in your area might offer special baby play sessions

--Lots of malls seem to have playspaces now (might be better for older babies though)

Good luck! Let us know what you find. You can also join the Florida Moms and Fort Lauderdale Moms groups here in the community and see if anyone in those groups has suggestions.

Permalink Reply by sabrina on June 18, 2012 at 9:42pm

Thsnk you both very much for the suggestions. Some days are better then others with everything. Thanks again for you help and compassion.

Permalink Reply by Katie, Mom365 Host on June 19, 2012 at 5:24pm

You're welcome :) I think most new moms experience feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially if you are a SAHM. You're home alone with a needy, wordless baby, after all! Try to remember that if you see other moms at the park or grocery store or wherever. If you're up for striking up a conversation with them, they'll probably be as happy to have someone to chat with as you are!

Permalink Reply by sabrina on June 30, 2012 at 9:55pm

thanks the needy, wordless baby really put a smile on my face. Ive been taking your and other moms advice getting out and its really been good for the soul. Thank you again

Permalink Reply by Poopsie's Mommy on June 25, 2012 at 10:46am

I got the baby blues really bad 6 months after I had my son, and the best advice I could give you is to pack your baby up in a stroller & go for a walk every day. The excercise and sunshine will perk your mood up a little. Plus, the change of scenery will entertain your baby, giving you a break from trying to keep him/her busy. If you start a routine going for a walk every day, it'll build up your energy & it'll help a lot. Also, if you walk by a playground or park, you might start seeing other parents with young children, especially now that it's summer. Good luck, and remember you'll make it though this :)

Permalink Reply by sabrina on June 30, 2012 at 10:02pm

THank you very much! Yes been getting out and walking every day. In Fl it gets so hot but the last week with the big storm we had some good cloud cover so it was really nice just getting out. I don't see to many moms but there are tons of old dears here who love to stop and chatt which is so nice. They all know me know as Harrisons mom and always ask. Thank you again and yes like all things we make it!!

Permalink Reply by skylark97 on July 1, 2012 at 5:55am

If it gets too hot outside, you could always pack baby up and just walk around the nice air conditioned mall too. It doesn't have as many social opportunities, but it does get you out of the house and it does get you and baby looking at something other than the same four walls.