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28 June 2009
Posted in
Feeling Cozy with Your Little Ones This Winter
You just changed your 3rd smelly diaper in as many hours; you haven’t had a chance to shower in 3 days “clean yourself up yet today”; your house looks like a tornado hit it “needs some tidying”; your children are hitting each other, screaming and crying, and stealing each other’s toys “starting to need their own space”; and you are feeling the cabin fever so much that you’re about to lose it if you don’t get out of the house “think it might be a good idea to go out for some fresh air”.
Motherhood: “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”
- We love our children. But as much as they need us, their activities and diversions, moms also need our space. We don’t mean to exclude the dads. In fact, it’s great to see so many dads nowadays pushing baby strollers and changing dirty diapers…even in the men’s public washrooms if we’re lucky! It’s wonderful that dads or partners are so involved. Nevertheless, many of the primary care-givers, especially when children are young or breastfeeding, are moms. And sometimes it’s hard to find that harmonious balance for our children; for our family; for our life; for ourselves.
- Well, if you’re finding yourself with a bit of “cabin fever” during these cold winter months, there are many things you can do with (or without) your little ones. If you haven’t yet, see our lists above for Indoor Activities, Fair Trade Cafes and Earthy Eating-Out suggestions on what to do “without” the kids perhaps. We’ve also featured some Kid-Friendly Products and Kid-Friendly Places ideas below to help you keep your little ones cozy and help you keep your sanity pass the winter days.
- That said, if “cabin fever” persists even when you are getting out and about, you may be dealing with more than “cabin fever”. Maybe you’re just feeling a bit overwhelmed and could benefit from more rest, sunshine, vitamins, exercise or diversions. But it could be more. It could be depression.
- “Depression and manic depression affect more than 10 out of every 100 people and are among the most common illnesses in our society”, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Particularly in mothers, post-partum depression can occur. Regardless of your situation, depression certainly seems more prevalent this time of year. So, talk to your family physician if you think your “resilience” is not what it should be. PHAC defines this as “the vital sense of flexibility and the capacity to re-establish ones own balance; the essential feeling of being in control with regard to oneself and to the outside world…” Loosely summarized from PHAC, it can relate to senses of being, belonging and becoming: how we feel about ourselves; what we do; and how we develop.
- Many insurance plans have miscellaneous health treatment allowances for therapies your doctor prescribes. So if you have some concerns, talk to your doctor, a friend, a Public Health nurse if you’re a new mom, or a psychologist. But talk to someone. You may be surprised by what they can offer to help your situation or lift your mood.
- Speaking of lifting your mood, here are finally those kid-friendly suggestions we mentioned above. Hopefully these will make you and your children comfy, cozy and happy this winter.
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