feel really bad...

[<3 my boys <3]

I am struggling to look after my 4 boys. I suffer from depression and anxiety and some days my moods are so low i have no motivation or energy to do anything. Having to clean them out every 2 days is becoming a struggle and also getting them out everyday. I feed them and make sure they have water everyday but the cleaning out i am finding tough on these bad days. i have 6 kids to look after and an unsupportive partner so its taking its toll

I dont want to have to rehome them as the kids will be upset but i feel they may have a better life elsewhere or maybe rehome 2 and keep 2 to help ease things a bit?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Firstly, wow my heart goes out to you. That's a lot to contend with.

You have to do what's best for you firstly and if you feel you can't give them the times then it's a hard decision. I know you could probably make life easier for yourself by changing the bedding to something that is longer lasting, but it could also be putting off the inevitable.

I think when life gets a bit hard, compartmentalise is the best way. Deal with things you can change and make an instant difference, I call them quick hits.
If I'm honest just rehoming two isn't going to have the same effect as you would by rehoming all of them. You need to remove the stress, no matter how small.

I think when you've made your decision, as a community no doubt we shall help where we can, certainly worth contacting local rescues as their could be a waiting list.

Good luck.

 

[MargaretB]

I'm sorry you are struggling. I too suffer from depression and anxiety, but my animals are a positive thing for me, though I haven't got any children to look after. They do sometimes cause me stress but usually due to something unexpected like illness.

How old are your children? Could the older ones be persuaded to help with the cleaning out etc?

If you decide to rehome your piggies, don't be too hard on yourself. You obviously have their best interests at heart.

 

[Sue and Smartie]

I too am a sufferer and like Margaret I found that having the animals to care for helped me to get out each day. But I can see that with six children as well you are finding it all a bit much to manage.
I don't envy you this decision. When I was at my lowest I found everyday choices hard to make.
But I would also like to say that you can come to the end of depression, it is possible to get better, and I hope this is the case for you.

 

[Mizzpigz]

Hello, I think that if the children are old enough then getting them on a cleaning rota would be helpful for you when you are feeling quite low in yourself. Hey it could be a great way of them taking responsibility for a pet aswell, but hey I do not know their ages. I think that having 6 children and an unsupportive partner must be very challenging at times and maybe the 'unsupportive partner' is the bit that maybe getting you down. I think just give yourself some time to think about rehoming the piggys and maybe rethink the bedding that you use to help with the cleaning. I dont know what bedding or housing you have but I find puppy pads are brilliant for those heavy 'poo and pee' areas and it takes me a few minutes every day to roll them up and put some new puppy pads cut up squares down. I then only have to do a good clean out once a week.

I hope that you are feeling a bit brighter soon. Maybe just for today do one thing that makes you feel good.... a walk, a bath, a hot chocolate, or even just watch a good old girly film on the television.

xxxxx