Hi Dana,

You sound tired-- emotionally and physically and any other kind their might be too! I’m sorry. I wish I had some wise words for you. Though I think the others have done a delightful job of sharing their stories.

I will share that as a single mom of 3 (2, 4, & 6), I have learned that the most important thing I can do is to take care of myself. I am usually in bed by 9 to 9:30 each night -- and my house looks like it. I try to eat right. Though a good diet for 47 is not always the same as a good diet for 2, 4, or 6 -- but I work on it.

I think the best piece of advice I read was getting someone to talk to. I probably think this is the best, because I know this is what I need to do. Right now the appointments for my new son seem to be unending (he has a complete, bilateral cleft palate). Right now I need to call to get an appointment for a complete ped hearing eval and I need to talk with some ped surgeons to see if we can schedule a circumcision at the same time he has his palate repair. The list goes on, but I won’t bore you. I think my guilt is that I chose Luke (or what that a God thing :-) and knew what was needed going into this adoption. So what should I be tired of it when it has only just begun?!

I know what I need to do -- I need to call my church and see if there are any Stephen Ministers available. This is a nationwide program in local churches where a trained lay person is there to walk with you in a confidential, Christian way. (I am a trained Stephen Minister and Leader, but since becoming a mom this is something that is on hold for the time.)

You might want to consider trying to find someone to talk with on an ongoing basis.

Warm regards,

Janet