I have been told by one doctor, my chest pains are from stress. So, I was told to de-stress. Easier said then done. David works a lot, so I'm on my own with 5 kids all the time. No family in the area, or friends that are willing to watch 5 kids. Mother helper is right now out of the question because of cost. James is 8 months and is nursing a lot(no solids yet). So, my question to you is what do you do to de-stress?

Well, I do have family and a few friends around but no one to watch the children to get "me" time. so what I do and have done is to destress with the children. Lay around and laugh with them or ride bikes or take a walk or just sit around outside talking... I do tell them that it is mommy time and if they need something they will have to help each other for a few mintues

oops, mommy time over, baby calling. I will be back1

what is the age range of your children?

Kids ages are: Victoria 8, Katie 7, Robert 4, Erik 2.5, James 8 mos

I have no family here too ! Sometimes, I would put on the video/dvd and let the kids watch while I sit down and read a little or even crochet ! My 5 and 10 yo would help me take care of the twins sometimes while I'm busy with the dishes or cooking!
Maybe you can lie down a little with the baby during the day?

We do not watch a lot of tv but it does help to get a few things done when I need it in, in a pinch!!

Been using the TV here. When I lie down with the babe, I fell asleep and the 2.5 and 4 years old will go crazy. Last time this happen I had 1.5lb of fudge(treat for David and I, not the kids) on top of the fudge they found it!

I do tell them that it is mommy time and if they need something they will have to help each other for a few mintues


I only have three but I do this too. I think it helps them understand that everyone needs time to regroup a bit during the day. They seem to respond better when I ask them to do the same.

TV doesn't have to be spongebob (no offense to spongebob lovers). We do educational DVD's from Netflix when we do turn on the TV.

They like Discovery Kids and Arthur and magic School Bus. The girls like Zack and Cody now. However, they like Spongebob too, but I watch Spongebob with them:)
I will try this is mummy time.
S

I know it doesn't help with sleep time, but I stay up after everyone (incl dh) is in bed and just sit!!! I watch HGTV, or play on the computer. Most of the time I get everything ready for dh for work the next day, too. But, so much easier to do while alone. Most of the time the baby wakes and stays awake anyway, but atleast I get a few minutes. If one of the boys wake or won't go to sleep, I tell them this is Moms time and they have to go rest quietly.

I am watching for others ideas as well! There are some days when I am completely give out!

Quiet time! When my 2 yo is napping the older girls have 30 min of quiet time and they are in separate rooms and may not ask me for anything. ;)

Quiet time, computer time. I must have a quiet time.

Meditate in the morning before they get up; yoga and knitting after they go to bed. I generally get some "me" time at nap time; but lately I've been napping too :P