Lightening Your Load
The stress involved in caring for a child with a long-term illness is considerable, but these tips might ease the strain:- Break problems into manageable parts. If your child's treatment is expected to be given over an extended time, view it in more manageable time blocks. Planning a week or a month at a time may be less overwhelming.
- Attend to your own needs. Get appropriate rest and food. To the extent possible, pay attention to your relationship with your spouse, hobbies, and friendships.
- Depend on friends. Let them carpool siblings to soccer or theater practice. Permit others — relatives, friends — to share responsibilities of caring for your child. Remember that you can't do it all.
- Ask for help in managing the financial aspects of your child's illness.
- Recognize that everyone handles stress differently. If you and your spouse have distinct coping styles, talk about them and try to accommodate them. Don't pretend that they don't exist.
- Develop collaborative working relationships with health care professionals. Realize you are all part of the team. Ask questions and learn all you can about your child's illness.
- Consult other parents in support groups at your care center or hospital. They can offer information and understanding.
- Explore support groups for parents who have children with the same or similar illness.
- Keep a journal.
- Utilize support staff offered at the treating hospital.
Reviewed by: Dale Perkel, LCSW
Date reviewed: January 2012
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