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Jude's avatar

Oh so so recognisable. My eldest is 41. I remember as if it were yesterday that loss of self. I didn't have a writing practice then. I had no where to turn . I had an almost breakdown when my second child was born. It's raw and resurfaced when my grand daughter was born. Thankfully I could turn to an excellent therapist.

This topic was rarely spoken of back in the 80s. I really hope young women feel more supported now.

Thank you so much for sharing this ❤️

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Angela C. Kulynych's avatar

I did not find new rooms, but a new use for a room. The bathroom became my reading room, the place where I placed calls, and sometimes sorted mail (that I would collect on my own from the mailbox!). After facing said pressure to be available 24/7, I decided the best way to teach my kids about my need for space was to read a humorous children's book together. I discovered "Five Minutes Peace", by Jill Murphy. It is about a mother elephant, with younglings needing toast buttered, or an audience when practicing the bugle. It was fun to read and I felt like I had someone to relate to. It helped my kids to give grace when I would say, "Five minutes peace" --it was like sharing an inside joke and no feelings were hurt.

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