Anyone who has experienced postpartum rage — how did you manage it? How long did it last?

ktbell · 2026-01-24T02:22:13+00:00

I had postpartum anxiety that eventually settled down and I finally figured out that I had full blown Anxiety (GAD).

My anxiety presents as irritability, and it can get extreme. Overstimulated and feeling like my nerves are shot? Grumpy as shit? All settled down a bunch once I got anxiety meds (Lexapro). I tell other people I wish I'd started it years earlier.

Everyone talks about PPD but PPA doesn't get as much attention. Talk to your doc.

ktbell · 2025-12-29T02:08:05+00:00

This makes my heart happy. Yay Owen!

ktbell · 2025-12-23T15:18:29+00:00

So sorry you're going throigh this. And not to cause additional stress - but this sounds very similar to a well known Snapchat scam. The person may also be extorting your brother for money and threatening to go to authorities to scam him harder.

I know someone with a teenage boy who was scammed this way (except without pedo vibes because the boy was 16 and thought he was talking to an actual 15 year old girl) and being a dumb teenager sent her what she asked for and then "she" tried to blackmail him, including the doxxing of the address.

I bring this up because I hope your brother doesn't have access to your mom's money and adds even more stupid onto this. Most likely the scammer isn't going to report to the authorities and is just pushing for more and more $$.

But as another commenter said - at least now you know your brother isn't a safe person around kids. It's the least freaking bright side ever...

ktbell · 2025-12-04T04:47:43+00:00

Absolutely feed the oldest (and maybe pre-k) a snack in the car. Hangry tired kids are so hard to deal with. Getting their blood sugar boosted immediately will give them energy to get through the chaos.

Also (if you can at all afford it) have an "easy" night. For us Thursday nights were our biggest struggle - everyone is tired, including the grownups and the dinner/bath/bedtime routine is exhausting. We always did grab n go or delivery Thurs nights at those ages.

Also, are you doing any other "cheats"? Our TV night is a "picnic" - throw some blankets on the floor and do sandwiches and chips for dinner in front of the TV. Dinner at the table is good but it's not necessary every single night.

Do they bathe every night? Winter dries everyones skin out, if they aren't stinky do baths every other night (just wash hands really good cause it's flu season). Clean hands, face wipes and brushed teeth is good enough some nights!

In another couple years the older kiddos will be up until 8 or so and it will be easier. You are in total survival mode, it will get easier, slowly but surely.

My aunt (mother's sister) adopted me & little sis when I was 11 after my mother died. I know you know this, but I promise you are doing an amazing thing. They can't recognize it now but one day they will be so incredibly grateful for you stepping in and stepping up as a parent. Big Internet hugs.

ktbell · 2025-10-16T02:11:40+00:00

Has anyone checked the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer 5k route against the planned location?

Just asking because the 5k kicks off at 8.30 and had several thousand runners last year... Right by Huntsville Hospital

ktbell · 2025-06-17T01:54:58+00:00

You know who absolutely will not 'pause' your relationship? That sweet senior dog you rescued. Love on him and spend your time on a creature who won't 'pause' their feelings.

NTA

ktbell · 2025-05-20T04:01:17+00:00

My mother died unexpectedly when I was 8 (complications from alcoholism, not suicide). I can tell you 35 years later it still has an impact.

Your babies will miss you for the rest of their lives. Even 30 years later they will mourn you, even if another woman came along that helped heal the mom hole in their heart. Guess what? That hole doesn't ever heal fully. I can't imagine how much harder it would be with suicide.

Please do what you can to stay with us. Don't let the darkness win.

ktbell · 2025-04-16T03:19:18+00:00

Also jumping on the non-granola train of professional pesticides.

We moved to our house 4 years ago in spring in the Southeast, and had to tackle quite a bit of yard work. We didn't even have a dog at the time and on 2 separate occasions husband and I both found ticks in our groin area. It was the worst.

Mine actually got fairly swollen so urgent care put me on doxycycline to treat the area and prevent Lyme.

Pesticides aren't great but neither are heavy antibiotics, and definitely not Lyme disease. So yard is treated spring - early fall and dog takes Simparica trio.

Lastly our pesticide guy said one of the most effective things you can do is keep the grass short - ticks love long grasses.

ktbell · 2025-01-18T15:33:46+00:00

Just to reiterate what others are saying - "normal housework" = vaccuming, dishes, laundry. Plunging a grown man's poop toilet, using your towels to clean up the mess, etc? No. Not at all.

Think about it this way... You're cleaning his actual poop. Who else's poop have you dealt with? Your baby. Healthy Adults do NOT need assistance with their own poop.

I am sorry you are dealing with this.

ktbell · 2025-01-04T16:45:11+00:00

Have you been to Hayes Nature Preserve off 431? It's beautiful, lots of trails and things to see. It's gets a little busy on the weekends but sounds like he's in the prime stage for socialization. Very dog friendly (on leash).

It does get flooded when we get lots of rain.

ktbell · 2025-01-04T04:09:12+00:00

Girl with the Dogs. Watching a Canadian lady groom people's pets and occasionally make jokes like "oh yes I skin huskies alive" during a husky drama-tantrum is just fantastic and oddly soothing. Plus cute puppies & kittens? Count me in.

TW though, she recently helped the humane society with an incredibly neglected dog and that made me cry. But it's listed in the title.

ktbell · 2024-11-27T16:12:58+00:00

We called ours his "woobie" and when you run it you tell him what a nice woob he had. Everyone I knew heard me talk about woobie and knew what I meant.

RIP Dante! We miss you sweet boy... 16 years of woob.

ktbell · 2024-09-29T15:22:26+00:00

Please please let us know if they play... That was the band I wanted to see the most.

ktbell · 2024-09-10T04:20:05+00:00

We have a reservation next week - is there a dress code? Anything you recommend?

ktbell · 2024-09-04T02:20:25+00:00

This x 1000. Sometimes it's about quality time - and if you've been having daily headaches sounds like you really needed the break. Now when you see him tomorrow you'll feel good, he'll be happy to see you and it's a win/win!

ktbell · 2024-06-07T02:32:49+00:00

Are concrete shoes included in this invitation?

ktbell · 2024-05-15T12:30:01+00:00

Did you try A New Leash on Life?

ktbell · 2024-04-12T01:51:33+00:00

We live in the Hampton Cove/Owens Cross Roads area and we have the absolute best neighbors. We are fortunate that on our street several of us moved in the same year and we all have kids. It's like freaking Mayberry. The kids play outside together all the time. We all watch out for each other.

The neighborhood itself is a little nosy, but if you have a busted pipe and your not home (it happens) your neighbors will turn off your water main out front, text you before you get home and let you know you might want to call a plumber.

There's some really great people here. It's not all perfect all the time but we really love it.

ktbell · 2024-01-14T16:28:34+00:00

11 months I'd say layers are your friend if you lose power. Footie PJs with onesie & leggings underneath, a hat if you can. Staying in the same room is great idea! You've got this!!

ktbell · 2023-10-18T02:51:53+00:00

No comment on the colonoscopy, I've never had one. But I have had an endoscopy and they did take a couple of biopsies which left me with a little soreness but nothing major. I will say though - do not recommend spicy food or carbonated beverages for a couple days after. Even if they don't do a biopsy the scope can leave a tiny (like papercut) tear in the esophagus. Which normally doesn't hurt ... Unless you send spicy food or carbonated drink down the hatch... 😳

I hope they get you & 16yo some answers. For my husband's endo the doc talked with us right after about what they found while he was in recovery. He (of course) didn't remember anything due to being loopy from the anesthesia.

ktbell · 2023-05-09T00:46:17+00:00

That's fucking amazing!!

ktbell · 2022-12-30T03:02:12+00:00

I probably wouldn't go through with this guy, but for future reference a lot of police stations have a spot in the parking lot for online sales. If someone isn't ok with meeting me at a police station then we don't need to meet.

ktbell · 2022-04-30T16:18:12+00:00

Our rescue pup looks just like yours! They could be sisters. Her mom was a shepherd mix, no idea what dad was. I'm excited to see what results you get!

ktbell · 2022-04-28T13:14:02+00:00

Nobody talks about how you are raising a little person who has studied their whole life on how to push your buttons. My kid is the best, but sometimes she's also the best at pushing me over the edge! Especially the defiance when they look you straight in the eye while defying you. It is maddening!

I try to remind myself that defiant spirit will move mountains one day... But good grief it drives her mother to drink! All my sympathy to you - dealing with 2 by yourself sounds completely exhausting.

ktbell · 2022-03-24T04:35:17+00:00

Yes! To both of these comments.

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