Welcome to episode 2 of the Unexceptional Moms Podcast. Today, Erin and I are talking about what keeps us from taking care of us as special needs parents.
As always, if you would rather watch us, you can find the podcast on youtube. Or, you can find us on iTunes!
From the show:
What keeps us from taking care of us?
Guilt: We carry so much guilt about everything! We mention the Facebook Live video on guilt.
Time: We are so busy.
Child Care: It’s hard to find childcare when your child has a disability.
Kara Deidert has a phenomenal resource on Respite called, “The Insiders Guide to Respite.” It is a free resource for parents who need a break and a solution to make it happen! Find it HERE.
Money: Many of us have limited resources, and sometimes by the time you pay a sitter you don’t have anything left over to go on a date, go to the gym, or invest in you
Exhaustion: We are too tired.
Lack of self-esteem.
Depression: The incidence of depression in parents of kids with disabilities.
It is hard to ask for help.
Why is it important to take care of ourselves?
- We are better parents, we have more fun, the hard days don’t affect us as much because we know we are going to get a breather.
- We need our sanity!
- We need rest, which in turn helps us have more energy.
- We need to be there for our families and take care of them. What would happen if by neglecting taking care of myself I no longer can care for my family and my kids?
Ways to care for ourselves in different areas.
Spiritual: It needs to be easy and it needs to be meaningful.
Online devotionals. Jesus Calling. Erin uses an App called Through the Word. Worship music. Finding a place to worship.
Physical: It doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym, we are aiming for easy and meaningful.
Exercise. Take your dog on a walk. Dance with your kids!
Emotional: What gives you life.
Things that you love to do, like reading, coloring, photography. Remember the things you loved to do before you had kids.
Book recommendations from the show:
Sun Shine Down By Gillian Marchenko
Still Life: A Memoir of Living Fully With Depression by Gillian Marchenko
Practical: The Survival Guide Freebie!
And of course we have a freebie for you today, “The Special Needs Parent Survival Guide.” With 13 practical ways to help you take care of you. And because we know you are busy, these are simple, easy, and effective to help you find peace in the midst of chaos. Get the Survival Guide!
Yes, send me, The Special Needs Parent Survival Guide
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Editor’s note: This post contains affiliate links.
Listen to the show:
Special Needs Parents, Are You Surviving?
I created a guide with 13 practical ways to help you find peace in the midst of chaos, opt in to make sure you get a copy of this freebie!
Have you ever tried Care.com ? Maybe they have sitters who deal with disabled kids?
You know, I think I would have a very hard time trusting someone that I hired online. But maybe some people have and it is just me.