How Do I Keep a Fresh Attitude?

All I can say is good for you! I am a working mom (I should be working now!), and even when I am home for my 3 days off I sometimes get a little blah. I love my girls too, but it's hard having the same routine! I take Cymbalta, and I think with my personality I kinda need to stay occupied or I can get down. Something that has helped me is starting a garden and finding things to do outside, so when it's warmer over there, you might try a little garden? I get the winter depression thing so now thats it's getting nice out it helps, but when the kids ar eyoung it's hard to see the "light". Something I always tell myself is that this too shall pass and that nothing is forever. What I mean by that is, you won't always be tired and things will get better! Maybe soon you can work part time. I wish I could help. there is nothing worse than feeling a little down, I totally understand and wish you the best!

take a look at the root of your issues: are you getting enough sleep? How's your sex life? Do you have any time for yourself? A daily, solo walk would do you wonders!

When I'm really stressing, I try hard to find the sunshine in my life. What about teaching yourself to identify the sunshine in your life? That would also aid in beating the depression!

As goofy as it sounds, make a little drawing of 3 flowers/balloons/? .....& each day fill all 3 shapes with a happy thought which you've witnessed in your child. Nothing like a child's smile/laugh to bring sunshine to your day! When I'm really stressing with my daycare kids, this method works for me. :) Good Luck & I wish you Peace!

My daughter is almost 6 yo and I am feeling the same way, eventhough she is in a different developmental stage. Thanks for asking this question, I will be curious to read the answers.

Keep fresh undies and you'll always have a fresh attitude (sorry thats what came to my mind whe I read the title---odd right)

Unlike you I HATED the baby stage and LOVED the stage you;re at! Probably because I love to go places and do things. Keep busy and make everything a fun learning game and the time will fly
1. Get annual passes to the zoo, aquarium, local water park and so on....maybe team up with anothr stay at home mom and both get a family pass to one thing with you and her being the parents so you can split the cost and have playmates
2. go to free and cheap things- nature centers, library story times, open gym at gymnastics
3. go on playdates (meetup.com and local churches have them in every area) if you make a friend with kids the same age then you two will be having fun whle the kids play

Everyone has different needs so figure out (make a list) of what makes you feel recharged. Here was my list when I was a SAHM:

1) 2 times out of the house/week for exercise by myself
2) 1-2 activities/week out of the house with child but meeting up with other moms/kids from a local moms' group
3) 1 time/month to do a creative activity away from the house. I had a scrapbooking group.

So figure out what you need socially, physically, spiritually, emotionally then make a schedule. If you don't have a schedule you will let something get in the way.

I take a week "off". I don't clean. I don't do laundry. I don't do anything but play with my son or veg in front of a tv.

You just need to let your hair down and relax. The whole point was just to be home with the kid, right? So just do that. Everyone will survive on whatever whip-it-up dinner you come up with for a week.

But you know what really sets my head straight - exercise. I friggin hate that word!!! It works - grumble.

Wake up tomorrow 20 min early, or take the stroller out. Go for a fast paced walk. Don't compete or pull a muscle - but put some "oomph" into it. I gotta really try to have a bad day after that!

I am a SAHM of a 20 month old (and also 5 mo pregnant). I have felt some of the same feelings as you. I love that i get to be with her very day, but i am finding it challenging. I'm admittedly not great at just playing (if we are being honest I get bored). A couple of things that have helped me lately:
1. Involve her in what I'm doing. Today I needed to dust and I gave her a little cloth and she "helped".
2. Getting out of the house. We have been exploring all the different parks in our area, rather than just going to the same old one. Also, taking advantage of all the free local activities like story time, farmers markets, play groups
3. I did a search on pinterest (I don't have an acct but you can still search and view things). I searched for "toddler activities" and found lots of simple, inexpensive preschool-ish activities. This helps to break up the day and also to make me feel like I'm teaching her something.

Best wishes!

I think you need to find a place where you can take the LO (drop in care) and do something like join a gym or take a cooking or craft class, join a book club.