Every child needs a healthy and present parent who cares about their needs above all else. This is the easy part. It comes quite naturally to want to give of yourself to your children. But when that child has special needs that are demanding emotionally, physically, psychologically and otherwise, it is important as parents for us to remember that our children don\u2019t just need us<\/em>, they need us well<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self-care is one of those things that slips away one small piece at a time, until your child, their needs, your hectic schedule and lack of sleep can suddenly seem like a life sentence of isolation and struggle. But, it does not have to be this<\/em> difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Managing your own self-care can help you to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You advocate for your child with society, with medical care teams, with the school system and somehow advocating for yourself as a human being seems to be forgotten. Who else will step in and demand that you take care of yourself? When you improve yourself, experience a more pleasant life, your child is reaping the benefits of these efforts, just as much as you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We make it harder on ourselves by carrying heavy emotional baggage into our parenting. Let go of those self-deprecating thoughts, the rumination over what you weren\u2019t able to accomplish, or all you could have done better. That guilt will paralyze you and steal your joy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes, all it boils down to is giving yourself permission. Unpacking the bags you\u2019ve packed for that \u201cguilt trip\u201d you seem to go on every time you \u201ctake time away\u201d from your child to tend to your personal needs. Thinking this way is natural, but the slope is slippery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Logic would remind us that healthy and happy people can accomplish so much more, but as parents, we interject our own emotional issues into the equation. Feeling like you must somehow \u201csuffer\u201d with your child will not rectify their issues or improve them in any way, but what you do to lift yourself, lifts them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What you need is a plan. A strategy that ticks off the boxes of your personal needs as you play multiple demanding roles as a parent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What you do to lift yourself, lifts them.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some things that you can do to make sure your needs are addressed so you can manage the challenges of parenting a child with complex needs without losing your mind and spirit in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self-care tips and strategies <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of your self-care routine as a four-sided square; Mind, Body, Planning, and Network.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n