Please don't call yourself "weak." It takes a lot of guts and courage to come here and post like you did. It's also exausting being depressed. Depression is not for the weak! Hang in ther krazykat.

I agree with socalmom61--you are anything but weak! To raise 3 children, one with Down Syndrome, is truly a remarkable acheivment, and a daily test of strength and courage,which you have much of. I do know how you feel to some exten: I am a 30 year old single mother with severe depression and anxiety/agoraphobia,and I already see the signs in my daughter where my illness has affected her. She is both incredibly defensive about tiny things,and hugely remorseful and self-blaming about them too. She cut off half of her long,lovely hair a few months back,"because you did it,Mommy," her expression so mournful,so baffling.Once she asked me why I "can't cook dinner or clean up like other mommies?"and why did I lie in bed so much, and I had to tell her I was sick,and she cried,and believes,still, despite all my protests, that I am going to die soon,and leave her. So I can think of no better way to explain to her what is wrong, since I hardly know!There are some issues our children must confront which they are simply too young to.
As for your children:I don't know what age your son is,but "sleeping his life away" could be either a sign of depression,OR a sign that he is a typical young male--around 14,they do start to sleep a tremendous amount. What I would suggest is getting both your kids to a school counselor, just to talk with them,so you can have a professional insight and overview into whether something is disturbing them or not, and trace what that is. The sooner ANY disorder is dealt with, the faster it can be ended, or managed.
Good luck to you, do NOT feel guilty for raising your wonderful children:I can tell you are an extremely protective, caring, nurturing mother.They are lucky to have you, looking out for them the intense and concerned way you do.
If you ever want to talk, please feel welcome to leave me a message!Best of Luck,
Kaitrin

My greatest fear is that my depression will negativelly impact my kids - 7, 10, and 12. They are great kids, well adjusted, etc. However, as they get older, they will have to wonder why Daddy goes through these periods. Sometimes I think that they would be better off without me. However, then I hear the horror stories about kids struggling after a parent kills themself. I think the best thing to do is try to be strong for your kids. I figure that it is my job to try to give them a normal life.

i have the same problem ss hun im tryin to watch myself when they are around kinda save of my energy to not show it when they get home but they know my little one i see already signs of depression cause he worries about me and grownup problems soo im workin on hidin the most i can from him but i tell u it is sooo hard huggs to u hun

Yeah, I feel terrible about the way my depression effects my daughter. She has depression and anxiety too, and when I'm really depressed, I blame myself not only environmentally, but genetically, for sticking her with this lot in life. She's also had to deal with my memory loss since my ECT 9 years ago. In fact, she can't decide whether to write her college essay on dealing with an amnesiac mother or being the one to find her mother in a coma when she was 12, when her dad was out of town, when my psych meds interacted wrong and caused a seizure. But we have to give ourselves credit for doing the best we can, and for all the things we do right. I know it isn't easy. But give yourself some credit just for surviving! And then make yourself a list of all the ways you HAVE been there for them, and pray that you don't give them any spectacular material for their college essays. Partially kidding, but not really. It's true about my daughter's college essay, and that hurts. But you haven't biffed it nearly that big, have you?