School, Work, Toddler, Family, Holidays... STRESSED!

It sounds like you have very high expectations of yourself and end up feeling guilty when you can't meet them. I suggest that you lower your expectations. Choose, among the voluntary tasks, what you want to do the most and let the rest fade away.

Start using positive talk when you talk to yourself. Instead of focusing on your guilt because you aren't able to do something focus on what you are able to do. Repeat positive affirmations. Instead of saying I should be more excited, say it's ok to be the way I feel. Next year will be different.

Accept yourself as you are. When you start feeling mad at yourself remind yourself of all the good that is in you.

You might also consider taking a mild anti-depressant short term to get yourself over this hump. I've taken Ativan and it's helped tremendously.

Also find a way to get in some exercise. It will give you more energy and help you feel good about yourself.

You are doing a tremendous amount, an amount that most people wouldn't be able to do. Remind yourself this will be over soon. When you get your AA you'll be thru with school and the internship? If not perhaps your feelings are telling you to find ways to reduce your involvement in so many activities.

Your family would no doubt be glad to watch your son so that you could have some time to recharge. Why feel guilty? My daughter has told me she feels guilty because I do so much for her but I think I've finally convinced her that I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to. Helping is my decision. Don't take on responsibility for the things I'm responsible for.

One thing that has helped me when I've been stressed is to keep a gratitude journal. Each night I list 5 things for which I'm grateful. And in the morning when I wake up I think about the good things that are happening instead of allowing myself to dread the day.

You are in charge of how you feel. It will help if you make a conscious decision to make the best of what you have while focusing on ways to lessen your load.

Goodness gracious!!! I'm tired just reading about what you do in a day! Girlfriend....be easy on yourself. You are busting your tail to keep up. The next time you get to snuggle with your little man, just focus and let him have his Mommy, 100% at that moment. I believe in quality not quantity. BTW...Christmas means nothing to him yet, he just wants YOU! Everything else will get done when you get it done. I did LOTS of my housework with my kids. It wasn't the BEST cleaning I ever did but we did it together and that made it fun....Wishing you the best....

O J. my sweet, sweet, sweet, J.!!! I know I DO not know you but I DO know your situation!!! I was exactly where you are...I have since reconciled with my sons father....however it wasn't that long ago I was a full-time student, mommy, and worker bee!!! I had all the same feelings I promise!!! What you have to remember is who you are doing ALL THAT FOR..... THAT AMAZING LITTLE MAN!!!! Remember it's ok to feel like you might go COO COO any second actually I think you wouldn't be normal if you didn't feel like that!!! Haha try and I say try cause I know how hard what I'm going to say is to do.....try not to stress the small stuff!!! Don't worry about Christmas you could rewrap toys he has and he would still be excited cause honestly my son is 4 1/2 and only now remembers "last Christmas"!!! Well no matter what I give you credit its not easy by any means!!! Just keep looking at how far you have come and everything later on you will have to offer your son!!! I hope this at least let's you know you are not alone!!! Keep smiling;-)

To save your sanity forget about Christmas! WHO CARES??? Your son doesn't have one clue what this is about or anything. Get him an empty box from a neighbor, cut some holes in it for a door and windows and he will be extremely happy. It's just another day...........why is this worth putting stress on you and your child feeling that stress??? Calm down and focus on surviving for now. It's all you can do. And we are all doing the best we can do at this moment.

Do what you can do and stop worrying about the rest. At this point don't feel guilty about asking your family for help. Some day your parents will be old and need your help--it's a way of paying back for the help they give you now.

A full time job and full time school + an internship is a lot to handle. But take a breath it will be over soon.

Do a "What I DID" today list every night. It ALWAYS helps me SO much-- I used to look at all the uncrossed off things on my To Do list and STRESS. Then I did a "What I DID" list. It was FULL of important productive things --it just didn't match the plan I had STARTED the day with-- a very frequent occurence when there's a kid involved!

TRY to remember that GUILTY is the "default setting" of motherhood. There's not a decent mother on the planet who's not wallowing in guilt about something. You just need to determine if it's "real" guilt indicating you need to make a change or the standard mommy guilt because you are NOT "SUPERMOMMY" and can not do everything at once and well!

And I also suggest FlyLady-- you don't have to drink the KoolAid and buy all of her products, but she has some AWESOME strategies and ideas!

You sound like Super Woman to me! You are accomplishing so much and have done so much already. Don't forget where you came from, how you started and where you are now. Like I always say, keep the eye on the prize. I don't know how you do it but you are dOing it. As great as it is this year, your son will not remember much about the holidays this year and keep in mind he will grow out of these toys soon enough. No need to go bonkers over it. There are many great ideas for homemade toys including dressing up empty oatmeal bin and having him put balls in and out. Not fancy but he will love it.
No need to feel guilty about your family gifts either. You are improving your future and they know this is temporary. Not sure what your budget is like but we make homemade presents. Framing your sons handprints (make with paint on cardstOck), a letter of gratitude and/or a framed picture of your son or both of you together. Heartfelt is more meaningful than the coolest gadget out there.
As for everything else take deep breaths, focus on your goal and be grateful you have so much to do when others pray to have more. Peace!