May 26, 2017 | By: Anonymous
Categories: Family Support
I remember how often I lied when people kindly said, “You’re taking care of yourself, right? You know your son depends on you and you have to take care of yourself for him!”
My answer was always, “Sure!” but under my breath, it was “Yeah, right!”
My son was a micro-preemie and after many ups-and-downs was coming home after almost six months in the hospital, I was pumping breast milk every 2 hours (or at least was supposed to be), contracting out our dream home, and my husband and I were the finish contractors. Taking care of myself? In whose dreams?
Unfortunately, I found out the hard way what happens when I do not take care of myself: bouts of depression that can last 4 to 6 months and loss of myself—who I am, what I need, and what I want. Those kind people were right—I could not be there for my son when I was not there for myself.
It was finally when I no longer had the desire or energy to play with him (my sweet little boy who had worked so hard all those years to learn to walk and talk, and now, Mom could no longer have fun with him) that I went for help.
I have read lots of “Care for the Caregiver” lists and articles and handed many out to parents in various groups I’ve facilitated. Now, I have had a little time to really read them and think about them and the following are my favorites:
Find more information on self-care in the Family Support section.
Working from home brings priorities into focus. I am a caregiver first and everything else second.
Categories: Family Support
Even if it has been a long time, it’s important for caregivers to start taking care of themselves. Catching up on my healthcare and doing things just for me has made me happier and healthier.
Categories: Family Support
Who was it that said “Nothing is constant except change?” I wish that person could tell those of us who don’t love change, even good change, how to manage it.
Categories: Family Support