I have to take baby steps myself, so I would suggest even taking him for a walk, even if it is around the block. Read a book with him. Any time spent with your child is good time to them. Don't beat yourself up and try to do something you think he would enjoy. Draw with him, paint. Sending you positive thoughts and hugs.

Dear newmommy,
Your baby is only 3 years old. He doesn't have some pre-concieved idea about what mommy time should be. He only knows that he loves you and you love him. You can have a wonderful time alone with him at home. Get some paints and books, rent a movie, wrestle on the floor. discuss winnie the pooh or whatever his favorite toons are. You don't have to take your child anywhere. Being with you is all that matters to him so just sit at home if thats all you can do and have a ball with your son.

feelinghorrible --I have to be in a REALLY good mood to get the courage to take a walk. That's leaving the house therefore my Agoraphobia kicks in. I love reading to him. Thanks for the positive thoughts and hugs. I ended up taking him to McDonalds's (that's what he wanted to do the most and he wanted to go in - we usually just drive-thru. So that was a pretty big deal for me to go with him by myself but I did it and he had fun!

imagined - thank you for your ideas and reminding me that he doesn't resent me for my my problems (yet) - not like my two teenagers! As I said in a previous post, what he wanted to do most was go to McDonald's and get out of the car and eat inside. I usually drive-thru because of the anxiety so taking him there and getting out of the car and eating inside was a huge deal for me but made me happy because it made him happy.

My only suggestion is to press through your feelings and take your son out somewhere. This will not necessarily get rid of your anxiety or depression but you will feel better about yourself in the long run that you actually did do something. I can relate so well to your circumstance. My son is now 18 and off to college. How he will pay for college I have no idea cause I am on disability and have no money. But, when he was younger I had the same circumstance as you. I needed to take my son out to do something and it was druggery. I did feel better after taking him out but I did not always go out with him cause my feelings were way too strong. I was just scared. He suffered and began to play on the computer for all hours of the day. That was his babysitter and I knew it was bad but I did not know what to do. He has no respect for me. Neither of my children have any respect for me. It hurts me I just cannot tell you. I live in another state than they do and they never call or write or text nothing it is like I do not exsist. My family is the same way they act if I do not exsist. It is very painful and I have begun to eat to drown the pain.. But, keep trying so you do not end up like me. That is the worse case scenerio.

you should not feel bad about not going out that much. you are not a bad mom. you could go outside and sit for a while. then maybe take a short walk. try every day or every other day. rember do not do too much at one time. rember take your time and try to relax.

Thanks Laurie,

My name is Laurie too! I do all of those things but walks are really hard for me to do. It's actually easier for me to get in the car and go somewhere than to walk down the street. I have to be in a really good mood and feel comfortable. We go outside and play a lot at short times. And I actually took him to McDonald's all by myself and we actually went in!!! That's pretty rare for me. It made him happy and made me feel better. Thanks for the reply!