Hi nikkicoop,

Parenting has been very difficult since my brain surgery 3/06, and worsened after the tbi 3/07. My girls were aged 2 and 4 when my life became a shambles. I presume that this emotional battle within myself contributes quite a bit to my depression.

I become overwhelmed rather easily nowadays. Kids just being kids and having fun stresses me out big time! While I understand their rambunctious behavior, my reaction seems instant to me. I try hard to maintain control over my reactions - it is far from easy though! My girls quickly pick up on my stress, and then they become stressed out, and a vicious cycle is born. I have dropped certain activities & picked up others, and have had to limit my days available for work, to reduce general stress level as much as possible.

In the past month or so, I've seen a lot of improvement in my relationships with my daughters. For that, I am eternally grateful! My girls seem to have acquired a better understanding of what I can & cannot handle, and (now anyway) work around my limitations. *knock on wood* It is sad that I can't do ____ like Daddy and most other parents they see. And as soon as that thought pops into my mind, I have a heck of a time bringing myself back up again!

I can understand how you're feeling guilty and sad for your boys. Try very hard not to let those thoughts enter your mind though. In my experience, those thoughts begin one heck of a horribly emotional roller coaster ride!

Best wishes to you ~ take care!
Shez

Im with you guys on this I have 3 little girls and when my PCS symptoms started we quit going anywhere and all and they hated it and did not understand and yeah i get easily overwhelmed also

tommywrestler!

It is so hard, and damn depressing at times. My only advice is to avoid things that overload you (as much as possible), in order to avoid the overwhelming fear, anger, anxiety, etc.

Best wishes to you!
Shez

Good call man I have been trying to recently and it does help,i was one of those people who never really thought stress affected anything until this and now i know how bad and what stress can do to ya

nature the nurturer last spring I could not face our vegi patch and it depressed me to look at it,overgrown and neglected, but this year with much wobbling and head pain , I managed to dig it over little buy little so I will have the joy this year of watching things grow anew, I am noticing spring this year in hi definition, the snow drops, crocuses, catkins, and pussywillow all coming to life, buy adapting my tools my jade carving is getting back to a point that I am happy with

so working with nature is stress free I cant get angered at nature or frustrated with it, its sounds, sites textures and smells , comfort and calm me and take me out of myself

so if your able take a dose of nature the nurturer

I love spring and summer but Fall and winter are my favs,Fall especially the brown leaves etc...etc....man i love nature too maybe i should hang up the wrestling boots for a garden holes and gloves lol