This doesn't make you any lesser mother Kathy, actually it makes you only a stronger one IMHO, because you can atleast see the bigger picture here. You can see that your demise by overdoing yourself has a consequential flow on effect to yourself and your family at this time. This isn't a permanent thing Kathy, it is something to help minimize the current stresses within the house so that you can help you, so that your family can help you, so that you can work through this time and come out the other end in one piece, stronger, united as a family, not broken down, separated, all at one anothers throats. It is not a reflection of your ability to be a mother Kathy, it is a reflection of yourself as a person to know when you need help. Says a lot to me Kathy, a whole lot. Well done to you Kathy, you should praise yourself for your acts that lead to helping you, not hindering you. Stubborness and pride does not typically see us come out the other side of these ordeals.... the more honest you are with yourself and your life as it currently stands, the higher chance you will come through this without issue and even the faster you will come through this. Why hinder the process IMHO when you have the resources to speed it up so you can get back to your life as you view it faster, and far superior emotionally!!! You first Kathy.... its a hard thing to grasp at first, but it truly is important. You need a safe, secure and stress free environment to heal.... the very same things I told Evie she needed in order to help herself. You and Jim provided that for her and it helped Evie achieve exactly that.... now your turn with your trauma Kathy.
Kinda like having you as a carer Kathy, and to not become a sufferer thanks.