Hashimoto's and Motherhood

Being a mother is not easy. It is the hardest job a woman can have. Having Hashimoto's is not easy. Being a mother while dealing with Hashimoto's is not easy. It isn't impossible, but it has challenges. Today I want to share with you some of my struggles and how I try to alleviate the stress.

One of the biggest struggles of having Hashimoto's and being a mother is the unrelenting exhaustion. I will talk more about this later this month, but I just want to touch upon how it affects me as a mother. I tend to go to bed immediately after getting Oliver to bed which means I don't get any time away from the kids. Normally this is ok, but there is a point when I just need time for myself without getting drinks, doing school, wiping butts, or doing other things for everyone else. I still haven't figured how to do this regularly, but my husband is fantastic at letting me go to karate twice a week. It is exercise and time away all in one!

When I am unable to get away from the kids but I need a break, Netflix has been a great help. I can find a documentary, or another family-friendly film and put it on for the kids while I take a shower or eat in relative-silence. I do not feel guilty about using the television. I don't do it everyday or even every week, but when it is needed it makes a huge difference for me.

Depression and anxiety are easily triggered by the children. Being transparent with the older kids is important. I explain to them if I am having a bad day and how they can hep me. I also explain what Hashimoto's does to me so that they know it isn't their fault. That is my biggest concern. I do not want my kids to think they are doing this to me. I show them how they can help and that their good behavior makes it easier on me, but I never want them to think they are causing me to be sick. Making sure I take my vitamins and supplements helps with my depression and anxiety, as does regular blood tests to make sure my thyroid medication is the proper dose.

While stress is unavoidable, learning to manage it requires skill. The biggest thing I can do is to give myself some grace. I can't do it all and no one expects that. Delegation, chore lists, and weekends help to get things done without overwhelming me.