lostforgottensoul
MyPTSD Pro
It turns out I don't have time for any of my strategies, or I am too frazzled - not just the one I posted about. Yoga? I can't get away. Meditation was always supposed to be a strategy in theory, but I've never done it consistently or well and now it's impossible to relax. Exercise? I can't get away. That's all I've got. I'm also trying very hard to not start my maladaptive strategies, because I'm not sure if I'll be able to stop if I start those.
I feel like I am nothing but a parent now. I don't know how long that's going to last or if that's all I'm going to be or do for the foreseeable future.
Oh, and if you find this to be just hilarious, please keep it to your own damn self. I'm happy to hear advice. I'm not so happy to be a figure of fun.
I think this might be most parent's life. Especially first time parents. It's much harder for those with PTSD.
Do you have a partner or someone that's helping?
I ask because I watch vloggers on youtube called "It's US". The mom of the family has PTSD. The dad does have an out of the home job and the mom is a stay at home mom + both a youtuber with 3 channels.
They have made many videos about PTSD, PTSD with kids, PTSD and couples, and one about overall mental health. They make it a point, every video (even on their vlogs) to say that the mom gets alone time. When the dad comes home from work, he takes their now 3 kids, and she has her alone time. They just got a new service dog prospect but she had no service dog for a long stretch of time (the last one had to be put down) but even with a service dog, she has really highlighted her need for alone time. Time away in the house for a few hours or if just an hour. She gets some sort of quality alone time daily.
Can someone take toddler for an hour or two to give you some time for some of these coping strategies?
I know you said that you didn't want general parenting advise but now that you see yourself a parent, that can really help I think. I am so not a parent but if I were, I would need some alone time.
Also, that some channel highlights independent play. I don't know that much about parenting. I had legal custody of a teenager but never had to parent a toddler. Maybe check out some parenting forums or channels. Ask around. There are loads of parents in your same situation. Even loads of parents in your situation with PTSD.
I am sure it is hard. PTSD does not make it easy on us. Throw in another young life to look after and man! I can feel the struggle.
Also, really, check out some things you can do with toddler that can benefit you too. Legos and slime were just two of the many options out there. Many things made for kids can be really helpful for adults too!