[MustangLippy]

I started to respond to this twice and just couldn't express myself properly. I think feeling overwhelmed is something many Moms cope with whether they be WAHM's, SAHM's or working out of the house Moms. A lot of it depends on personality, personal expectations and the support of DH.

I very much related to your description of feeling so overwhelmed you get into a state of paralysis. I get that too. I amaze myself when I think of how much I accomplish in a day (DH would never cope) but then I realize how much there is to do that I haven't done and sometimes I just seek solace in a book or the TV and try to ignore the demands of reality. That just makes it worse as then more things pile up and more guilty you feel.

Add onto this the stress of adoption, the euphoria and then the slide back into reality and your whole system has undergone a big shock.

Don't let it spiral out of control. It sounds like its something that has you in its grip and you feel like this the majority of the time. Can you seek some help? Is there someone you can talk to (a professional)? Do you have a SO? Are they aware how you are feeling? Can they help?

Sometimes I feel that lists help. Then I can see the chores disappearing (as new ones appear) but at least I feel I am not forgetting something. Or I set myself a goal of getting "such and such" done this weekend. Then when you get that thing done, however small, you feel you've achieved something.

I hope you get a lot of responses from APs with good suggestions. And know you are not alone.

MustangLippy