|
Home 
Featured Discussion
Parenting with Arthritis
Advice From the Experts
Advice from the Experts
There is no one more qualified to give
advice on the subject of parenting with arthritis then parents with
arthritis.
Do you have any tips to share with
other parents? And you responded:
"It's kinda like take it oneday at
a time kinda of thing:) It's very often you may wake feeling great but
by ends day you are exhusted (literally)I have found that since all my
kids are in school once they head out the door I usually go back to bed
because I have insomnia at night. Let me tell you that extra rest alot
of times boosts me right up like the energizer bunny then I can get my
afternoon workdone. It's not always easy to say well I'll do this and
that today cuz with arthritis sometimes it never works like that so just
go at your own pace:) And having this disease for as long as I have I
tend to get mad at (it) and that's ok...." -Teena
"I know I wouldn't trade anything
in the world for her. She is the best thing that ever has happened. She
is worth any pain I have." -Bridget
"Give your children/child little
responsibilities that you have hard time doing. It has to be age
appropriate. This gives them a little power over the disease that's
hurting their parent." -Beth
"I try not to think about past
failures, and I take things one day at a time. If it weren't for my
faith in Christ Jesus I wouldn't have made it at all. "I can do all
things in Christ who strengthens me"." -Beth
"I have been very open with my
children. I have explained to them the biological process of arthritis,
and the role the immune system plays; all that. I tell them that
everyone has their burden and as far as medical burdens go this is not
so bad. I talk to them about how lucky I am to have arthritis now
instead of fifty years ago because of all the medical advancements in
treatment. I try to put a positive light on it. It is a fact of our
lives, but not THE fact. There are a lot of kind of odd things about our
family and this is just one of them.
I think it is important to be honest
with kids about medical things. My father had cancer when I was a
teenager and he unequivocably promised me he would not die, but he did.
I was pissed for years. It's also important for kids to realize every
family has their strengths and weaknesses and those aren't always
apparent. Therefore, we should try hard not to compare ourselves to
other people. We accept what we have to deal with and move on."
-Maria
"Learn to hold most conversatons
while resting. Tell them everything that is happening with your RA.,
otherwise they they will think your medical problems are even worse. Let
them help you when you are not feeling well. Apologize for yelling at
them if it is because you do not feel well." -Barbara
"Do what you can, never allow
others to put their expectations on you, know your
limitations and educate yourself about your disease "Knowledge is
Power"." -Stephanie
"Just enjoy your children while
they are young and enjoy them everyday that you have them because one
day they will be taken away." -Pam
"Depending on the ages of your
children, be frank with them. Tell them exactly how you feel, even
though you may want to spare them what you are going through. They will
appreciate knowing that if you aren't able to do something, it's because
you can't, not because you don't want to.
This is a family disease, in that it
affects everyone in your family, not just you. At first, I didn't
understand that, and I thought it was something I could handle by
myself, and not inconvenience anyone else. I have found out over the
past 17 months that everyone I love is affected by my RA. They are so
understanding about the fact that I can't go sit on the bleachers for
hours, or I can't go for long walks, like we used to, and shopping at
the mall is something that takes a lot of planning and conserving energy
for. But all in all, I don't think it has interfered too much with our
lives (yet)." -Lynn
"Try to give as much time as you
can to your children. When they leave home they
will not remember how often you mopped a floor but they will remember
the times
you spent with them. And be honest with your children. Tell them you
have an
illness that will prevent you from doing some things but that with
cooperation and
some modification there will be other things the family can still enjoy.
Ask them
to help when you need it and praise their efforts.
Arthritis and the way you react to the
different situations you encounter gives you
a chance to teach your children coping skills that can be of great value
to them in
all phases of their lives. Sort of a "When life gives you a lemon,
make lemon-
aid" attitude." -Diane2
"Early in the morning is when I
have the most energy. I try to make lists and organize my day. That way
later on when I'm tired and my kids are cranky,I have time to just sit
with them. I go to bed pretty early because I just am too tired to get
anything done in the evening." -S.
"Don't sweat the small
stuff!" -Tina
|
