parenting with chronic illness

Create a new post for topic
Join the Conversation on
parenting with chronic illness
634 people
0 stories
142 posts
Explore Our Newsletters
What's New in parenting with chronic illness
All
Stories
Posts
Videos
Latest
Trending
Post

Balancing being a parent with self-care

Hi Everyone, I'm new here. I'd like to post at a later bit about my story. But right know I'm looking for support on balancing parent responsibilities when you have a chronic illness. I have 2 and chronic pain from my c-section. Thank you! #ParentingWithChronicIllness

1 comment
Post

Fibromyalgia Fatigue #Fibromyalgia #ParentingWithChronicIllness

I want to begin by saying that I’m thankful that my Fibromyalgia is so well managed by my antidepressant medication, otherwise I suspect that I would still be in such extreme pain that I couldn’t function. However, the fatigue is really catching up with me, right now. The last couple weeks I’ve been trying so hard to have activities out of the house each day, to help my kids stay active and carefully socialize outdoors.

However, the past 3 days, I’ve been paying for it with severe fatigue. I’m just praying that taking it easy these 3 days will enable me to get back into it, the rest of the week. We have homeschool co-op, tomorrow morning, and martial arts classes tomorrow and Thursday evenings, a park play date on Wednesday, and my big grocery shopping trip on Friday. In the meantime, I’m also supposed to be getting my kids started on their online math program, which shouldn’t be that big of a deal, but their reluctance (especially my 9 year old daughter’s) makes it exhausting, as well.

I want so much to build healthy habits with my kids, but it’s hard to exercise, cook healthy meals, etc., when I can hardly drag myself out of bed. 😢

7 comments
Post

Chronic Illness and Ignorance

I was tired and sore yesterday.

Understatement.

I was exhausted, brain fogged, had a hot poker in my right shoulder, a fire in my left, I've been mildly nauseous for the last few days, there was a headache lurking in the depths of my brain somewhere, my lower back was aching, my neck was stiff, and I was feeling irritated and despondent.

I might be at the anger point of the grieving process right now. It is the first time since my diagnosis a few months ago that I am feeling this burning irritation. I want to shout about how unfair this is, why me, why this on top of everything else!? And heaven forbid someone should make an ignorant comment.

Today I feel less like death thanks to some Celebrex. I was more positive when the day started with a few spoons. Less positive when they were all gone by the time I had showered, got my kids ready for school, and dropped them off. I came home to log on to my laptop and start my work day and all I wanted to do was cry. Eight hours of focusing - how? (FYI, my motto is always, "how does one eat an elephant? Bite by bite.")

Not sure what this post is about except to have a little vent for what has been quite a tough week. It's Thursday today and so far I have made it through - looking forward to the weekend and just resting as much as possible.

Navigating life with chronic health issues is certainly something I am going to have to make peace with at some point. I just have to figure out how.

#Fibromyalgia #Endometriosis #ParentingWithChronicIllness #BPD #GAD #IBS #ChronicPain #Spoonie

3 comments
Post

Parenting with chronic pain

I slowly watch the disappointment grow in my step childrens faces. Every cancelled plan, every bed day, every late breakfast or rushed dinners lead to me not being able to provide the way I should for them. I thought maybe I would have children, but this illness fights back and shows me that I’m not capable.

#ParentingWithChronicIllness

Post

IBD and Parenting - Vacation Week Help and Ideas

Good morning everyone! I’m currently experiencing the worst flare ever of my IBD. I am scheduled to have both a colonoscopy and endoscopy at the beginning of March. I’ve been on steroids since new year’s.

My symptoms had gone away, but about 3 days ago, they came back full force. It’s also school vacation week for my 8 year old son, who has been remote learning since last March. The fatigue and pain are the worst.

Do any of you have any suggestions for activities to do with my son, that I can stay in bed for? Or that are low energy? I feel like an awful parent. I ended up in the ER for this over his holiday break in December- and slept the rest of the week. His dad is home most days, but today and tomorrow we are on our own.

Wishing everyone the best 💙 #InflammatoryBowelDiseaseIBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #SpoonTheory #Parenting #ParentingWithChronicIllness

4 comments
Post
See full photo

Today's reminder!  #Parenting   #ParentingWithChronicIllness

So often we see ourselves in our roles instead of as an individual in that role.

I've noticed over the years in my clients and myself when we lose ourselves in our roles we begin living in the waiting room. Always waiting for our turn.

When we take our finger off the pause button we become stronger, more ourselves. We begin to see our role as a mom differently. One where we are co-creating the relationship.

Post

Kids?

So I've been wondering, for those of you with chronic fatigue and chronic illness who have kids, how do you do it? I'd like to get married and maybe have kids eventually but I feel like with my frequent bouts of being bedridden I wouldn't be able to care for them. I don't make enough to support a family so I'd probably end up being the primary parent. I keep imagining myself being unable to get out of bed and a toddler running around or a baby crying in a crib unsupervised and neglected. Was just wondering how others handle it, practically speaking? #ChronicFatigue #ChronicIllness #Parenting #ParentingWithChronicIllness

8 comments
Post

Has anyone that is a parent with a chronic illness created something that incorporates Behavioral Charts for Kids and how it impacts your energy?

#ParentingWithChronicIllness

1 comment
Post

Hi! Until recently I had a housecleaner helper, paid by the insurance company. Not anymore :(. How much housework/chores are okay for kids (12&14)?

#ParentingWithChronicIllness

Post
See full photo

Hello to #MightyTogether

Hello chronic illness warriors, my name is Patty and I am a Mighty contributor! I will be writing about my parenting experience while living an autoimmune disease called Scleroderma. I am a NYC single mom hoping to shed light and comfort to other moms going through the same as well as creating awareness about autoimmune diseases. My 12 year old boy is my sunshine that leads me through my dark journey of living with a chronic illness.

I’d like to invite you go read my first published article and share your thoughts on the comments. My first published article shares my experience and thoughts on how my physical changes affect my son when he started school.

You can also find me on
Instagram @slowlyandsteady
Blog www.slowlyandsteady.com
Facebook Page @slowlyandsteadyblog
#Scleroderma #ChronicIllness #Parenting #ParentingWithChronicIllness

2 comments