What can I do to fill my time on bedrest?

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FullOfThought

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I am on bedrest at only 8weeks pregnant due to complications, I am unable to clean the house, cook, drive… and I feel like such a waste of space. My husbands out working so hard and I am literally doing nothing.

Is there anything that you can recommend for me to do that will make me feel like I am contributing positively to my family? Obviously, I know I am protecting our little one but I feel terribly guilty that I am not doing anything.

Thanks, FOT
 
Protecting your child for your husband and you is the greatest contribution a wife and mother can make.
Rejoice in being able to rest, and don’t distress yourself and the baby with guilt.🙂
Your husband sounds wonderful, and kind.
To accept that is something important you can do for the baby and your husband.
The other to be cheerful and loving for your husband when he is around.

What is more important just now is not ‘doing’ but ‘being’,
and being your husband’s dear, loving, appreciative wife and safeguarding his baby is perhaps one to the greatest and best things you’ll do in your entire life. 🙂
(Hopefully, when you are past the early stages, your doctor will be satisfied that you can be more active? And hopefully you can eat healthily, and as you are physically inactive as well as pregnant.) Congratulations regarding the baby.

May God bless and protect your husband, baby, and you always.
 
I second what Trishie says!!!

But if you wanted something to occupy your time, maybe you could learn how to knit or crochet. You could make a blanket for the baby, a scarf and hat for your hubby (if you live somewhere that has winters) and things like that. Just an idea. 🙂
 
**I agree with the other posts.

You are a precious vessal for this new life. What about reading to baby children’s books? The medical profession has stated that your baby does react to the sound of your voice…so take advantage of it. Listen to music, sing and read. Anything that will keep in the forefront of your mind and heart - what this is all about. NEW LIFE!

Promise prayers for you.**
 
FullOfThought said:
I am on bedrest at only 8weeks pregnant due to complications, I am unable to clean the house, cook, drive… and I feel like such a waste of space. My husbands out working so hard and I am literally doing nothing.

Is there anything that you can recommend for me to do that will make me feel like I am contributing positively to my family? Obviously, I know I am protecting our little one but I feel terribly guilty that I am not doing anything.

Thanks, FOT
Click to expand...
Oh my gosh! Will you have to be on bedrest the rest of the pregnancy? And do you have any other family nearby who can help?
 
I recalled something a wise sister said during a discussion at a retreat. I don’t remember what the topic was but I mentioned how I find society wants everyone to “justify their eexistence” and it’s hard for me when I have a permanent disability (I’m in my early 20s and was born with it).

She said something to the effect that how can we say when seeing a butterfly “how beautiful,” but look at a person and only ask “what do you do?” It shows how profoundly our view of people is misplaced.

I agree with all of the other previous posters, you are doing important work and it’s all you need to be doing!
 
Well, if you don’t mind… I certainly would welcome you using some of that time to pray for me! :):gopray:🙂 And, of course, I will pray for you as well!
 
FullOfThought said:
I am on bedrest at only 8weeks pregnant due to complications, I am unable to clean the house, cook, drive… and I feel like such a waste of space. My husbands out working so hard and I am literally doing nothing.

Is there anything that you can recommend for me to do that will make me feel like I am contributing positively to my family? Obviously, I know I am protecting our little one but I feel terribly guilty that I am not doing anything.

Thanks, FOT
Click to expand...
  1. Offer to be a person who prays for your parishes requests…maybe via email or Facebook, etc.
  2. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day at 3 pm for all souls who will die that day.
  3. If you have a laptop or tablet, keep a blog of your pregnancy journey. I’m sure your little one would be delighted to read it when they are older.
  4. If you don’t have one a Nook or Kindle is a must. I have both. There are millions of free Catholic books on them and you can use the upper end versions as a tablet.
  5. Make sure you ask your parish to put you on the list for someone to bring you communion every week and have your priest come and anoint you.
  6. Maybe you can offer to call shut ins or those living alone or going through a tough time and give them a “call of encouragement”.
  7. Maybe your parish can have you put together bulletins or newsletters and have someone pick them up.
  8. Start an online book/Bible study with other moms. Your parish could advertise it in the bulletin. Facebook lets you create private pages. Our church as one for our Divine Mercy group and it’s setting are all private/by invitation only.
  9. If you knit or crochet, start a prayer shawl ministry or get involved in one that is nearby.
  10. Watch EWTN, they have great programming.
 
Sorry I totally missed that last “family” part

Do you have other children? If you do you could arrange to have them come in and have morning prayers with you and evening prayers before they go to bed.

Also a chore chart with stars if they are small with a weekly reward (ice cream or cupcakes)

If you don’t have other children
You and your husband could still have prayer time each morning and evening.
I’m sure if you ask your Church maybe some youth could come over for a very reasonable fee and vacuum or take out trash, do dishes, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask the church, it’s OK to ask for help sometimes.

Best Wishes and my prayers are with you,

Lorrie
 
Everyone has given good advice, but praying ALL the time is a little hard to do in reality.

Do you like needlework? Needlepoint and counted cross stitch are very easy to learn and you can make some very nice gifts for people or the baby’s room, etc.
 
I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers. I pray that this is just a temporary situation and you’ll be up and about soon.

Like everyone else has said, you are doing that you are supposed to be doing. Taking care of yourself and that precious baby.
 
I went through this with my first child. I was on bedrest for 5 months and I picked up cross-stitch. That’s what I did to make myself stay down!! You are doing what is absolutely best for your family. Try giving it up as a sacrifice. And cross-stitch something beautiful for your home!
Steph
 
FullOfThought said:
I am on bedrest at only 8weeks pregnant due to complications, I am unable to clean the house, cook, drive… and I feel like such a waste of space. My husbands out working so hard and I am literally doing nothing.

Is there anything that you can recommend for me to do that will make me feel like I am contributing positively to my family? Obviously, I know I am protecting our little one but I feel terribly guilty that I am not doing anything.

Thanks, FOT
Click to expand...
Could you say a prayer for “Kate” while on bed rest? She is my step sister. She was recently told that she was pregnant with TWINS. Though this is a special time for her it is her first pregnancy and she is nervous. Just asking since you have time to yourself and since you are pregnant as well. I don’t have any advice for you, I’m a seventeen year old male :confused: but be assured that you are in my prayers and I’m sure many others’ prayers here on CAF.
 
My two cents worth coming from a guy, i’m assuming you have a laptop with in-home WiFi is to search the web for easy & simple recipes for your husband to make for supper when he gets home from work.

Perhaps via your Parish website, you can reach out to the Ladies Guild to arrange to have someone come in and clean your home. I’m sure there are retired ladies in your Parish who would jump at the opportunity to help you out and to spend time with you as well.

If you are on Facebook, cann’t think of the name of the game, but what’s the name of the game that’s similar to Scrabble that’s all the rage? Yes, I don’t play the game, i’m sure someone will chime in with the name of the game.
 
If it was me, I’d catch up on my crossstitching. I’d be embroidering baby clothes left and right. (I have a slight addiction to embroidery floss.)
 
Trishie said:
Protecting your child for your husband and you is the greatest contribution a wife and mother can make.
Rejoice in being able to rest, and don’t distress yourself and the baby with guilt.🙂
Your husband sounds wonderful, and kind.
To accept that is something important you can do for the baby and your husband.
The other to be cheerful and loving for your husband when he is around.

What is more important just now is not ‘doing’ but ‘being’,
and being your husband’s dear, loving, appreciative wife and safeguarding his baby is perhaps one to the greatest and best things you’ll do in your entire life. 🙂
(Hopefully, when you are past the early stages, your doctor will be satisfied that you can be more active? And hopefully you can eat healthily, and as you are physically inactive as well as pregnant.) Congratulations regarding the baby.

May God bless and protect your husband, baby, and you always.
Click to expand...
This and…
jmjconder said:
I agree with the other posts.

You are a precious vessal for this new life. What about reading to baby children’s books? The medical profession has stated that your baby does react to the sound of your voice…so take advantage of it. Listen to music, sing and read. Anything that will keep in the forefront of your mind and heart - what this is all about. NEW LIFE!

Promise prayers for you.
Click to expand...
…this brought me to tears! Thank you so much for these kind words. You have no idea how much these words meant to me!
TheRealJuliane said:
Oh my gosh! Will you have to be on bedrest the rest of the pregnancy? And do you have any other family nearby who can help?
Click to expand...
Hopefully not, not really sure yet. Definately for the next 5 weeks. Husbands parents are near but they’re so busy I don’t think they have time to help.
Irishgal49 said:
Sorry I totally missed that last “family” part

Do you have other children? If you do you could arrange to have them come in and have morning prayers with you and evening prayers before they go to bed.

Also a chore chart with stars if they are small with a weekly reward (ice cream or cupcakes)

If you don’t have other children
You and your husband could still have prayer time each morning and evening.
I’m sure if you ask your Church maybe some youth could come over for a very reasonable fee and vacuum or take out trash, do dishes, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask the church, it’s OK to ask for help sometimes.

Best Wishes and my prayers are with you,

Lorrie
Click to expand...
No other children, this is our first.
Bl_Pope_Pius_IX said:
Could you say a prayer for “Kate” while on bed rest? .
Click to expand...
It would be my pleasure! Thank you!
garn9173 said:
My two cents worth coming from a guy, i’m assuming you have a laptop with in-home WiFi is to search the web for easy & simple recipes for your husband to make for supper when he gets home from work.

Perhaps via your Parish website, you can reach out to the Ladies Guild to arrange to have someone come in and clean your home. I’m sure there are retired ladies in your Parish who would jump at the opportunity to help you out and to spend time with you as well.

If you are on Facebook, cann’t think of the name of the game, but what’s the name of the game that’s similar to Scrabble that’s all the rage? Yes, I don’t play the game, i’m sure someone will chime in with the name of the game.
Click to expand...
Words with friends? lol! I’m not actually on facebook, but otherwise that woud have been fun and addicting 🙂

I’m actually not meant to cook, but thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut!
Love the idea of learning crossstitch and making blankies and prayer shawls… wonder if I could find somebody to teach me 🙂
 
I am sorry to hear that your in-laws may be too “busy” to help…😦 Back in the day, this is when neighbors, friends and family would automatically step in and help, but the life we live now is so isolated it’s hard to have that same level of support.

Tools:

Hobby stuff if you do anything creative
iPod loaded with music
tablet if you have one
Laptop
eReader or actual books
TV (for watching old movies - TV shows are disgusting/boring/horrible these days)
Writing materials (write people actual LETTERS! Especially elderly relatives, they love it and you will bless their day)
Stamps and address book
Rosary and prayer books
Small fridge for drinks located where you are most of the day
Healthy snacks
Manicure tools - may as well keep yourself groomed!
Art stuff if you feel so inclined. Colored pencils are easy and fun. I still like to use coloring books, I find them relaxing and some of the pictures can even be framed.
Statues of saints, Mary, Jesus, etc. for contemplation

The main thing is asking friends and family for company at least. If I were there, I’d help! 🙂
 
FullOfThought said:
This and…

…this brought me to tears! Thank you so much for these kind words. You have no idea how much these words meant to me!

Hopefully not, not really sure yet. Definately for the next 5 weeks. Husbands parents are near but they’re so busy I don’t think they have time to help.

No other children, this is our first.

It would be my pleasure! Thank you!

Words with friends? lol! I’m not actually on facebook, but otherwise that woud have been fun and addicting 🙂

I’m actually not meant to cook, but thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut!
Love the idea of learning crossstitch and making blankies and prayer shawls… wonder if I could find somebody to teach me 🙂
Click to expand...
Counted cross stitch is very easy to learn. If you get easy kits (lots of big areas that are all the same color, baby or kids patterns are great for this) they have the instructions right in the kits as well as all the thread. The only think you have to buy is a hoop and a needle. (It does help if you have some basic sewing knowledge, but still doable without, and there are probably instructional videos on youtube). Something like this is a good first time project.
 
Oh another thing I did was make sure I got ready for the day. I just felt better about myself when I put makeup on…even though hardly anyone ever came to visit and I was on the couch. It was a good thing to do for myself. I like the manicure idea…
Steph
 
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