[GlamourGirl827]

I have struggled with this in the past. Ironically here I am, on the computer, talking about it. Its been very obvious that it becomes an issue when I am more isolated.

Before getting pregnant with baby #4, hubby and I talked about a 4th and ultimately decided that we were going to stop at 3. So I went back to work, very part time around hubby's schedule. I was taking a class as I am finally 4 classes away from my BSN. I was suppose to graduate this spring. I joined a running club. I made connections through the club I joined. And I started training for a half marathon that happened in Sept 2014. I was supposed to go spend the night with some girls from the running club in the city where the marathon was held. Girls weekend. I became friends with the girls in the office of the hospital I was case managing. The internet was not an issue.

Then surprise, baby on board.

I left my job in my 2nd trimester after hubby and I decided I would stay home full time with a newborn and a toddler. Plus I will be BFing and its easier to just be home. I stopped taking classes because as the exhaustion started to set in, it became hard to keep up. I got too slow for the running club. I did run a 5k with one girl from there when I was 26 weeks, but at my own speed. But I got too slow for group runs. I hadn't really built strong enough friendships to hang out with them when its not for running. I still talk with one nice woman on facebook and she is waiting for me to be back out there, but we don't just hang out. I never did the half marathon, needless to say.

And suddenly I was just a stay at home mom again. I get together with a few mom friends, but I have older kids, and so do these moms. I'm 34 and my friends are done with the baby stage. They are done with the toddler stage, and I still have a toddler so that limits some of the places we go with the kids, or some of the places I can join them.

And now at almost 38 weeks, I am tired and all the pelvic pain and I want to sit a lot. I feel unmotivated. And I know in just a few weeks I will be very isolated. Sure friends will come visit, but when your friends aren't in the baby stage anymore, its hard. They have more freedom, and more sleep. What I would have if hubby and I stopped at 2 kids. We'd have a 7 and almost 5 year old and would kind of have our lives back.

It doesn't help hubby is gone so much for work. He left at 4:30p tonight and will be home around 3am, And will sleep until like 1pm...

Anyway then I end up on line way too much. Face book, message boards. Its depressing, but its really because I miss all the things and people that were apart of my life just 9 months ago. I know it temporary, but remember that with each new baby, my internet addiction getting really bad, because I was craving socialization. But when I can find the time to socialize, I dont have the energy or motivation to shower and get dressed to actually go out. It might be a bit of mild PPD, but it just feels like I keep going on line looking for what I'm not getting in real life.

And then I feel guilty about being online so much because it sucks up my whole day. And I never feel fulfilled when I'm done. Because what I really want it to have the time and energy to be with friends in real life. Anyway, it doesn't help that none of my friends have a lot of young kids, so I feel like the odd one out...

Not sure if anyone else has dealt with this for their own reasons. It kind of sucks though...

[Zeitgeist]

Well, only you can determine if your online behavior is an addiction. To me, an addiction to a substance or activity interferes to the extent that you are no longer meeting the needs of yourself and/or your family (such as your children, in this case). From what you wrote, you are online out of boredom, not because you have lost control and your life revolves around the computer. But, again, only you can make that determination. However, if it is out of boredom or minor depression, there are some ways to address that.

One of Newton's laws , which I like to say to myself, is "a body in motion stays in motion; a body at rest stays at rest." I find if I plan my day ahead of time, sort of like how I plan my meals, I stay busy and away from excessive amounts of online time. Have you thought about Meet-up groups to find new friends with children? An online class, even one of the free ones such as Coursera, can also give you a task to focus on instead of "wasting" your day away. Libraries often have children hours or workshops that are free and can get you out of the house and with people.

Just some thoughts. I know that internet/computer addiction is a serious issue and you could also seek professional help if you think you are at a place where that would be helpful. Best wishes.