Start to feel suicidal when I’m alone with kids for multiple days and not getting out

[Anonymous]

Been alone with kids for multiple days stuck inside due to covid and stomach bug and I start to feel suicidal and desperate. I can’t leave and it’s the long exhausting days and not feeling well. I can’t get help and dh is away on a business trip. What do you do in a situation like this? Rationally I won’t but I keep considering it to get out of the situation of feeling trapped and desperate and unsupported.

[Anonymous]

Normal. DH should turn around and come home, but if he's like my husband, would not. You feel this way because it's too much for one person to handle. You are also probably sleep deprived by this point.

I remember those days. They are awful. Put the kids in the car and go for a drive as soon as your child's stomach can handle it.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry. How old are your kids? Are you in sheer survival mode, like pizza delivery and lots of videos and having your kids go out in the yard (if you have one) for a bit? Pick a date on the calendar when things will be different—like he’ll be back or you’ll surely be over the I’ll east—and keep reminding yourself things will be better on that date, you just have to hang on.

Also vent here and keep us posted. You don’t know us in real life, but we’re all rooting for you. And many of us have been there and gotten through it. Feel better, OP.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the above poster, vent here. I’ve had dark days and just sharing it made me feel less alone.

What you are dealing with is extremely hard. Have faith it will pass, and focus on very present moment. What can you do right now feel manage better? Talk a walk? Watch a show? Take a shower?

You aren’t alone in having these thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Tell husband to come home.

[Anonymous]

Suicidal thoughts? That’s not normal and a huge red flag that you need support immediately. You mentioned that this is happening because of stomach issues and COVID with your kids. That’s not something that’s occurring regularly.

Please reach out to your medical provider now. Everyone has sick kids at one time or another. Many are dealing with these temporary situations while a spouse is away. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. What’s not normal is to have suicidal feelings. My concern is that there is untreated depression that is exacerbated by the situation of caring for your children alone. Again, please contact your doctor. Get a neighbor to watch your kids so that you can get in to be screened. Tell your spouse that you are having thoughts of suicide. This is not something to minimize. He needs to drop everything and come home. This is like having a 105 fever.

I hope you can find some support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Normal. DH should turn around and come home, but if he's like my husband, would not. You feel this way because it's too much for one person to handle. You are also probably sleep deprived by this point.

I remember those days. They are awful. Put the kids in the car and go for a drive as soon as your child's stomach can handle it.

Noooo this is not normal.

[Anonymous]

My spouse travels a lot and when the kids (and I) were little and sick, it was so, so hard. Those days were awful. But feeling suicidal is not normal and you need help. Tell your husband to come home. This is an emergency situation. I hope you get the help and support that you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Been alone with kids for multiple days stuck inside due to covid and stomach bug and I start to feel suicidal and desperate. I can’t leave and it’s the long exhausting days and not feeling well. I can’t get help and dh is away on a business trip. What do you do in a situation like this? Rationally I won’t but I keep considering it to get out of the situation of feeling trapped and desperate and unsupported.

You need a therapist and likely medication. I have suicidal family members, so your DH coming home or a baby sitter is not the answer. You need professional help today. Call the hotline and go to a therapist with kids in tow if you have too.

If you aren’t actually suicidal and being dramatic, I will judge you.

[Anonymous]

My spouse travels pretty much every other week and I have three kids under 7 that have been sick for months so I totally get it.

I don't have great advice. Everyone is all "self-care" but that doesn't work so well the way my family is designed I get shit on 100% of the time and my husband gets to do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

[Anonymous]

All of you saying it's not normal probably don't know a lot of SAHMs in our current society.

It's totally common. Maybe we shouldn't characterize it as normal but it is common.

I say this as someone who lost a very close family member to suicide not too long ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My spouse travels pretty much every other week and I have three kids under 7 that have been sick for months so I totally get it.

I don't have great advice. Everyone is all "self-care" but that doesn't work so well the way my family is designed I get shit on 100% of the time and my husband gets to do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

I mean most kids will spend an hour staring at a movie at any age. Order food for delivery and let the dishes pile up and hit the tub.

[Anonymous]

OP you need to create a safe space in your house where you can be with your kids without having to pay attention to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My spouse travels pretty much every other week and I have three kids under 7 that have been sick for months so I totally get it.

I don't have great advice. Everyone is all "self-care" but that doesn't work so well the way my family is designed I get shit on 100% of the time and my husband gets to do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

I mean most kids will spend an hour staring at a movie at any age. Order food for delivery and let the dishes pile up and hit the tub.

Wow, that's great for like 2 hours but what do I do with the remaining 96? And, no. My 1 year old will not sit for a movie, lol. How long had it been since you had children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to create a safe space in your house where you can be with your kids without having to pay attention to them.

This. Let them watch TV for hours.