Pediatric Home Care Coral Gables FL
Parenting a special needs child as a couple is challenging enough, but taking on the full responsibility as a single parent requires special strategies to get through each day. Stress management is critical for all parents of children with medical needs, but becomes vitally important for single moms and dads, who are even more likely to experience negative emotional, physical, and mental health consequences from ‘burn out’ and stress associated with parenting their children solo.
Use Resources
Talk to your care team, school system, social services, family, and Google organizations that unite parents in your situation. You can find a wealth of invaluable advice from those who have been there, connect with other single parents who understand your struggles, and learn about additional resources for care, finances, and educational opportunities to help you and your child thrive. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Consider Outside Help
Beyond networking and sharing breaks with other single parents raising disabled children, consider hiring a pediatric home care provider. The added assistance can be invaluable in helping you manage important tasks not directly related to your child, while ensuring your child continues to receive the best care possible. These skilled caregivers can also help you brainstorm new ways of dealing with the challenges unique to your child and generally provide much needed support.
Practice Time & Stress Management Skills
Learn a few different time management techniques. Apply them and find one that works best for you. A few examples would be the Big Rocks method, list making, Pomodoro timers, and tickler files.
– Big Rocks focuses on scheduling the vital tasks and filling in the rest of your time with the less essential tasks, shifting that which doesn’t get accomplished to another day.
– Pomodoro timing gives you a set of focused time, say 45 minutes, followed by a brief break, and does this in several intervals before granting a larger break. This can help you take greater advantage of moments of kid-free time to catch up on essentials.
– Tickler files simply color codes and organizes tasks in a file system. When you find time, you grab a task in order of importance and tackle it. Get Organized – Create a daily schedule that works and stick to it. Kids who know what to expect and get it consistently are less likely to have a melt down. Consistency is comfort for kids, particularly special needs children.
– Keep records in a single place. This is especially helpful when it comes time to tackling paperwork associated with assistance programs, tax reimbursements, care team management, and similar issues.
– Create a color-coded system for appointments and deadlines on a large calendar. Being able to see, at a glance, what events are coming up that are essential, important, or shiftable can help you plan better and cope with unexpected emergencies and keep you mindful of disruptions to the daily schedule.
Sources: https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/living-with-child/taking-care-of-yourself-and-your-family/tips-for-single-parents-of-children-with-special-needs http://www.workflexibility.org/millennial-voice-raising-children-with-special-needs-mothers-disabled/ http://familiestogetherinc.org/index.php/who-i-am/single-parents-raising-children-with-disabilities/
If you or a loved one are considering Pediatric Home Care Services in Coral Gables FL, contact the caring staff at Providence Healthcare Services. We provide services in all of Miami Dade county and the Upper Keys. Call today (305) 680-5349.
