Really glad if that's some help to you ... another good thing about the private nursery mine went to is that for the younger kids they write down everything they ate, played with, etc on a daily sheet, so you don't have to stand there asking the staff everything! (older ones are supposed to tell you themselves ... not always very efficient)
I also ought to mention the social work-run Child and Family Centre we went to for a while (don't know if there's quite the same thing outside Scotland though). Referred by health visitor, staff were fabulously supportive-- and I met several other mums with problems from self-harming to panic attacks and depression, all lovely people suffering to various degrees. A couple of them I still see, along with their kids.
I used to find Little Gym a nightmare--songs with actions (aaaaaaaah
) then helping your child round the apparatus. I remember being cut dead a lot when I lamely tried to interact with other parents
Does your son enjoy pre-school, or is he picking up on your mood? I did have to stop taking my boy swimming after successfully transferring my fear of water to him! (again, my outgoing daughter is oblivious, and loves the water)
I've never been diagnosed with SP (only realised I had it on discovering this site two weeks ago!) so I just tell people, when I freeze up or start mumbling, that I'm a) tired, b) preoccupied or c) find conversations a bit difficult, depending on how well I know them. The reaction to c) is usually either "don't be silly" (not very helpful) or "I feel similar in x situation" ... puts me a bit more at ease.
Do you tell people--and if so, what do they say? (that should be a new thread I suppose)
I wasn't so bad when mine were younger ... I was on a real high after my son was born and he's a sunny wee soul (most of the time). Then my daughter was quite ill for a couple of years and between all the practicalities of caring for her, numbness due to lack of sleep and lots of cheerful sympathy being offered, got through that as well. I suppose now things have levelled out again it's come back to the surface! My son's teacher got annoyed with me writing notes to her, and told me to make appointments to see her instead ... might have to explain to her, especially as her annoyance just multiplied my nervousness of her.
This is already far too long for one reply (I work in editing, can't you tell?)... but look forward to hearing back from you. And good luck with the nurseries, do say how you get on 8)
