I 100% relate to this. I have been living in a steady state of overwhelm and underwhelm. I feel triggered by the sound of footsteps coming towards whatever room I am sleeping (escaping to) in at night. Do my kids need one more kiss goodnight, to tell me one more story from their day, to complain about something the other did to them 3 years ago? Or is it my husband coming for some physical affection? None of those things should feel triggering! But they do because it all seems to be too much.
I feel the opposite. I long to have my children cuddle with me. My 20 year old and 18 year old daughters are the ones who don't want to be touched. I have to almost beg them for hugs. My teen son is more forthcoming with his hugs. He's always been a smuggler and freely gives hugs. I so miss hugs that I snuggle with my cats more than I do my own kids.
I do understand the need to be left alone though. It can be overwhelming to have kids crawling over you--especially when you are trying to focus on something else. It can also get to the point of you feeling like you are just a tactile object to your kids and there isn't emotion behind the touching.
I 100% relate to this. I have been living in a steady state of overwhelm and underwhelm. I feel triggered by the sound of footsteps coming towards whatever room I am sleeping (escaping to) in at night. Do my kids need one more kiss goodnight, to tell me one more story from their day, to complain about something the other did to them 3 years ago? Or is it my husband coming for some physical affection? None of those things should feel triggering! But they do because it all seems to be too much.
Thank you for that article, I feel seen.
Thank you for sharing this.
I feel the opposite. I long to have my children cuddle with me. My 20 year old and 18 year old daughters are the ones who don't want to be touched. I have to almost beg them for hugs. My teen son is more forthcoming with his hugs. He's always been a smuggler and freely gives hugs. I so miss hugs that I snuggle with my cats more than I do my own kids.
I do understand the need to be left alone though. It can be overwhelming to have kids crawling over you--especially when you are trying to focus on something else. It can also get to the point of you feeling like you are just a tactile object to your kids and there isn't emotion behind the touching.