This is the third in a series on the impact of special needs on parents.

Parenting special needs kids, no matter what their issues are, is rough. It takes its toll. Seemingly every decision we make has serious consequences. We have to know our stuff and are constantly searching, researching, employing trial and error, seeking new help.

For some of us, much of the interaction with our special needs kids is draining – both physically and emotionally. This often leaves us exhausted and feeling bankrupt with very little left over to deal with everyday issues like housekeeping, laundry, yard work, or meal planning. Throw into the mix trying to find it within ourselves to volunteer, engage in extracurricular activities, or simply have a little fun for ourselves – and you’ve got one overwhelmed set of parents.

We all have different circumstances to deal with, but there are a few things we can all do as special needs parents to help defray the toll this role can take on us:

• Ask for help, as well as accept it when it is offered to you. Special needs parents do not need to prove that we can handle it all. Quite frankly, we cannot. Letting others help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of one who knows her limits and knows it’s not healthy to constantly push herself beyond them.
• Take time for yourself. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the storm of parenting a special needs child. There seems to be no time for us, so we often feel guilty when we take time for ourselves that we feel should be spent tending to our children. But if we don’t feed our own interests and indulge in quality “me” time, bitterness or even resentment can rear their ugly heads.
• Get plenty of rest. Sleep deprivation makes it difficult to effectively deal with just about any situation we are presented with. Good rest is the foundation for being the best you that you can be.

Remembering ourselves can be one of the most important aspects of parenting a special needs child. We can be no good to them if we neglect our own needs.

Speaking of making sure we are at our best, Blissfully Domestic is giving away a $1,300 Sleep Number bed this month! You can enter up to four times, so your chances to win are even better! Check it out at Blissful Home.

photo by Melga