I lead a pretty stressful life with grad school and I have found exercise and yoga have helped me to deal. Taking that little bit of "me" time each day or every other day, really helps me to focus and relax. Maybe meditation before bed? Deep breaths! HUGs

thankyou so much for that elizabeth, i will have to try that. does it really work?

Id love to be able to tell you that there is some miracle ure for the streeses that your feeling but there isnt. The only advise I can offer is to get help from your doc if you can. I left the stress in my life go out of control before i got help and by the time i did it was a bit late and i had started to suffer from anxiety, panic attacks and vomiting. You need to nip it in the bud now. Talk to your husband if you can and tell him how your feling and ask if there is any way he can give you some aditional support with the children. Ask him that at night he gives you some time to yourself even to take a walk from 10 mins although i can understand that by that time your probably to tired. Have a bath. Dont know what your weather is like but in Ireland its always miserable and lying in the bath with the window open listening to the sound of the rain is in my opinion the most relaxing thing you coul do. Any way let me know how you get on and if you wanna talk come find me. Ill send you the luck of the Irish xx

Sadly, I know that you are not alone, out there...there must be some medical/emotional help from a professional that could give you a boost.

Have you and yours considered some form of family counseling? If that gets voted down, then consider some, just for yourself...whether people are children, or adults, you can't please them all...and, anyway, why should that be the whole point of your life? You are an individual of value, too--maybe the rest of your family needs to be reminded of that.

I wish you heart and prayers! :>)

Here are some resources you might want to look into for help. Days like yours are overwhelming from the moment you wake until you sleep (if you can sleep). Days run together and it seems like a black hole that is hard to get out of. It takes some time to figure out what works for you. Here are some things that I think offer help, and have tried:
1) Meditation/hypnosis. I tried self-hypnosis. You have to be open-minded (or desparate). I was surprised it worked. Got to www.wendi.com She has all kinds of CD's, articles, etc.
2) aromatherapy. I am trying to take less meds (and I take a bunch!), so I am looking at alternative methods of stres-relief. I have just started aromatherapy skin patches. Go to http://www.leviticus11.com/Naturopatch.htm to learn more.
3. Exercise is helpful. Sometimes exercise hurts & it is hard to tell if it works, but it does. I try to take 10 minute walks a few times a day at work (just to get rid of the noise of my co-workers' drama) and I try to bike here in my home.
4. Sounds like you are a highly sensitive person. check out this link: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Work-Highly-Sensitive-Person/dp/007140810X
I didn't realize I was so sensitive to my surroundings and people until someone mentioned it to me. Now, I mention it to you. There are many versions to this book, even one for parenting. My wish for you is peace and calmness.

I was (and still am) under a lot of stress with life and career, but I joined a gym, and when I am stressed I go and lift weights. As you lift, you should be taking deep breaths in and out, and focusing on lifting makes you forget everything else. Bringing a cd player with some great tunes helps too!