Is there anyway you can take some FMLA time.  If you are really close to breaking down go to your doctor and ask for some mental health time off work.  Then if your employer has at least 50 employees you should be eligible for FMLA time.  Otherwise at least you should be eligble for short term disability.  Or is you are taking care of your ill parents you could go to their doctor and ask for FMLA time,but that would be unpaid.  Either way you sound like something has to give.

Alyssa, I understand where you are coming from. I don't have sick parents to deal with and I can't imagine how much extra stress that is. If you can find some time for yourself to talk to a professional it might be benificial to you. I am going through a tough time myself with my work and family responsibilities. It is hard and I have found that taking some time no matter how hard it is to find the time to talk to someone is really good for me.

My work only offers unpaid FMLA after you have been an employee after 1 year. Well I have only been there 10 months and my husband has been unemployed for the last year. He recently got a job which was a huge relief on the financial front but added a lot of stress on me with the kids again since he wasn't able to take care of it anymore.

I too am finding that my health is slipping. I am now taking anti depressants, migraine meds and high blood pressure meds. The doctor's believe it is due to stress. I don't know. I just feel like I am falling apart. I snap at my kids and don't feel like the good mother I used to be. The thing I wanted more than anything was to be a mother and now I feel like I am failing at it. I have to remember that I'm not though and YOU aren't either.

Remember you are stronger than you think. If you question that, look at how far you have come.

Remember that you are not alone. If you forget that, reach out to the people who care about you and other's who can relate.

Remember you are doing a great job and that your family really appreciates everything you are doing for them.

try and find a little bit of time for YOU, even if its at work... hugs to you guys!

I totally get the breaking down thing. It is amazing how our minds and bodies react to incessant stress. It sort of sneaks up on you so I think you have to nip it in the bud. Everyone needs to take care of themselves. If we can't be physically and mentally present for our families, what good are we? I don't know where you can fit in your own self-care but I think it is vital to your happiness and to the happiness of those you are taking care of.

I remember when my son was a baby in his crib, what a difference our mornings were when I greeted him with a smile vs. the cranky, over-tired version of me. It changes everything to have a little joy in your life!