SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

you know the feeling that you get when you have REALLY fouled something up... I have had that all day.

I just looked at my calendar and have a ton of stuff this coming month. Nothing too crazy... biggest is my DD's music recital in a few weeks... everything else is done (science fair) or things that I can't really control

I have a new neighbor who ALWAYS comes over... she has a son my son's age, and they love to play together. I really like my neighbor, and love that my son has a new friend, but when they come over they are here for hours and its hard to get them to leave. Also, they drop by all of the time, and when my DS hears the door bell, he gets excited and wants to play, so I give in and let him play.

I am an introvert by nature, and I think the past few weeks have been "too much socializing" for me. I haven't really had a chance to recharge, and Im feeling really anxious...

My H asked me to go on a business trip with him, and I lost it. I wanted to go, but Im spent. I just am at the edge and had to say no. My very social DD asked to have a playdate today, and I had to say no again. I made today mandatory couch-popcorn-movie day (after we went to church where we had to interact with people...)

My kids are very social, I am not. We homeschool, so I am forced to be much more social than I'd like, at homeschool groups, other social groups, etc etc...

I think I have just burnt myself out.

anyone else like me... I need a hug... and a virtual friend (who I don't need to interact with or entertain LOL )

((((Gotta))))

I'm a bit that way myself, and with depression on top of a 'natural' lack of sociability I also have great difficulty when it comes to this type of 'imposed' social obligation.

Can you try to carve out some time to yourself, where someone else is responsible for your kids? That might take some of the heat off for a little while at least.

((((Gotta))))

I'm the same way. I definitely need down time because my job is one that requires me to be very extroverted, so I get very burnt out if I can't take a break.

I would tell your neighbor the next time she visits that you're not feeling well (and you're not-- you're emotionally spent and need a break), so maybe next time? I would also kindly tell her that you will be extremely busy in the next few weeks, so if she could please call ahead of time before she comes over, that would be great.

What about dropping DS for a playdate at the neighbor's house? Let him have his social time with the friend, and you take a break. Make sure your neighbor knows that and doesn't expect you to stay for a visit. Tell her that you have tons to do and would really appreciate it if she wouldn't mind hosting your son for a couple of hours.

I don't know how old your kids are, but mine are at the age where I encourage outdoor playing (if possible) and playing down in the basement so that they aren't underfoot. Fortunately, I don't have any neighbors who come to visit when their kids come over, probably because I am fairly aloof toward people I don't know well, so they're not psyched to come hang out with me!

You could cultivate being aloof; it works for me.

Extreme introvert here (89% according to the Jung typology test) I used to have a pushy neighbor who came over every morning to 'coffee klatsch'. I took to hiding in the back room while holding onto the dog so she wouldn't bark.

I've since grown up and have learned to tell people NO. Look at it this way: It's patently unfair to tell your DD she can't have a play date when you always give into your DS.