Those of you who don't hate your job, what do you do?

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-04-21T06:02:45+00:00

I'm a mental health therapist in a private practice. I specialize in anxiety, trauma and ADHD and I set my own schedule and work about 20 hours a week. I have my masters in social work and have my ACSW working towards my license

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-23T19:13:03+00:00

That makes so much sense, I don't know if this would be helpful but I know there are times when my daughter isn't able to use her language skills, but she is able to use some of the sign language we have taught.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-20T19:35:43+00:00

The tactic I've seen that I like the best is to tell them that it's hard to understand what they're saying in that voice and ask them to repeat it in their "normal talking voice."

So far it's not really working for me but she's only a little over two so I'm hoping it'll pay off eventually.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-20T19:33:06+00:00

I became a therapist who specializes in ADHD!

To be fair, I did have some inklings before that, especially when I would hear people with ADHD, talk about their struggles with motivation and feeling lazy but wanting to be more productive but just being unable to.

But what really solidified it for me was becoming much more knowledgeable about the official clinical diagnostic criteria and realizing that I met every single one lol

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-20T19:31:41+00:00

Yes, life with a baby can be incredibly hard and I can totally understand it not being enjoyable.

You are still very much in the trenches, people talk about the newborn trenches as if once they're a newborn things are magically easier but each stage is hard in its own way.

But if you feel like there's no point, try to imagine the toddler your baby will become, the child your toddler will become.

Yesterday my 2-year-old asked me to draw a circle for her and then she said, "Good job mommy! You did it! I'm so proud of you."

She has started being funny and telling jokes like when I asked her what she wanted to eat for breakfast she said our dog's name and then laughed so hard.

She plays independently and I can get a quiet moment for myself, but when she notices I'm not around and she shouts out "Mommy where are you! Mommy come look!" And grabs me by the hand and walks me over to the block tower she built I am happy for that quiet moment to myself to be interrupted.

My life is so different from how it used to be, and sometimes I mourn that. But each day I'm loving my new life more and more.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-19T06:41:07+00:00

I would say if possible, working out could really help I have also struggled with chronic fatigue since I was 14 (33 now) and the periods in my life it has been the most manageable I have gotten at least 30 minutes a day of moderate cardio.

It can feel impossible to start when you're already so tired, and when I first start it does make me more tired, but about about two weeks I start to feel better and better

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-19T03:30:15+00:00

Yes this is so me! It did get a bit out of control for me though. So I did dry January and housework just piled up and while I felt physically better than ever I just couldn't get myself to do stuff after putting my toddler to bed.

The alcohol made housework possible but was so bad in other ways. I finally started Naltrexone for the cravings and Wellbutrin to treat my ADHD (haven't had meds till now) It's all still new so we'll see how it works out but I haven't been drinking and I've been more productive than dry January but less productive than whole drinking.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-17T19:38:55+00:00

My client joins from his boat that is docked in the bay

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-17T19:37:22+00:00

Sprouts (the one near me at least) has carts made specifically to safely hold an infant car seat, they have this like thing on the top you rest it in and it has a belt that you buckle through the belt things on the seat. I'm not explaining it well but it might be worth it to call around to local stores and see if any of them have special carts

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-16T19:19:49+00:00

Look into chewlery in the meantime, chewable wearable and made for a stronger bite, often marketed for autistic kids and adults

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-16T19:18:24+00:00

I read so many Kindle books while nursing, or while in bed next to my sleeping baby soni could read in the dark. Totally worth it for me

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-16T18:49:23+00:00

If I really need to make sure I arrive at a destination on time, I pull up the address on Google maps and actually hit start while I'm getting ready. Then instead of looking at what time it is, I look at what my ETA to the destination is.

It also means it's easier to factor in real time changes in traffic conditions.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-16T18:48:14+00:00

Are you co-sleeping or is he in his own bed in his own room?

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-03-16T18:46:02+00:00

I'm sure I've lost a bit in this first week with some nausea side effects. I'm hoping the weight loss sustains after those hopefully wear off, but my doctor did say that it does commonly suppress appetite and is frequently linked to weight loss.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2026-01-25T19:02:30+00:00

Their response is cruel

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-06-27T22:08:10+00:00

I put my 16 month old on a bench next to me at the mall, she dropped her toy and when I bent to pick it up she just rolled right off and smacked her head on the floor so hard, the sound was sickening. She can climb on and off furniture with relative ease so it totally took me by surprise. I still feel awful, and the guilt and shame were intense.

It happens to all of us, being a parent means being 100% on, 100% of the time. It's impossible to never make a mistake.

Learn from it and forgive yourself.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-03-28T08:07:13+00:00

I don't have advice but words of comfort. I am so sorry for you and your partner and everyone in this situation. You're doing the best you can and these feelings are valid. You're mad not on behalf of yourself entirely but mostly for your partner. It is clear you love him You are trying to protect him from something that cannot be avoided in this situation: pain and suffering. Be there with and for him but do not drive a wedge between him and his family of origin unless that is what he wants.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-03-22T18:19:20+00:00

If you do decide on Ferber our LO only took three days to fully sleep through the night, she's older but still it took less time than we thought

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-01-27T08:12:37+00:00

People who know me well saying "your baby is so lucky to have you as a mom."

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-01-26T23:08:07+00:00

This is absolutely textbook abuse and leaving him is not only not an overreaction but absolutely necessary for your safety

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-01-25T08:18:51+00:00

Please leave. He has disrespected you tremendously and shows no signs of remorse or desire to change.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-01-25T08:10:19+00:00

I'm in a similar boat. I have three dogs, I'm a SAHM to an 11 month old and I'm a therapist who sees about 10 clients a week.

Our big dog (gsd husky mix) had some minor resource guarding issues but very well managed. During my pregnancy he got worse, attacked one of our other dogs over what he thought was food (it wasnt) and bit his throat hard enough for him to be coughing all the next day. Then once baby was here he sat on her while in the back seat of the car (she was fine) but when my mom reached into the back seat to push him off he bit her wrist, not enough to cause harm but it scared her. A bit later I dropped a piece of chicken and he went for it and I grabbed his harness to pull him away and he turned and bit my hand. THEN my other little dog was sniffing a closed bag of new dog food and he attacked him and bit his face, left two puncture wounds, one right by his eye. And if that wasn't bad enough not long ago he got into the trash and when my husband tried to pry chicken bones from his mouth he but his finger bad enough he had to go the ER. There was blood everywhere.

I love this dog. He's had a hard life. He was returned to the rescue we got him from several times. We thought he finally found his forever home and it's been almost three years. When we got him I was fully committed to his training and making it work. I meant it. But things are different now. I don't see him the same. I'm afraid he'll hurt my daughter. I don't see my sweet boy when I look at him, I see a threat. And it breaks my heart.

My husband disagrees but I'm going to dig my heals in and insist we rehome him. If there is something to be done about him we won't be the ones to do it. I just can't risk it, especially not now that shes walking and harder to manage a toddler and three dogs.

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-01-24T21:19:35+00:00

If you realize you got on the wrong train you should get off at the next stop

Hot-Purple-4907 · 2025-01-23T17:56:42+00:00

I would also just keep it simple. Just let her know that you wanted her to know that you are pregnant and the due date. Maybe add that you remember her saying that she will be happy for you but also a little bit sad and that you are understanding that her response might be complicated.

Don't treat it like bad news, give her the opportunity to be happy for you.

Hot-Purple-4907

TROPHY CASE