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Top 5 Self-Care Ideas for Moms with Developmentally Disabled Children
Updated: Apr 5, 2021
Moms with developmentally disabled children face unique challenges. Odds are, you spend the majority of your time caring for your child, from researching and seeking out the best help and treatments for your child to finding the perfect school and fostering friendships. Your days are full with care for your child plus all of the other mom duties. And if you have other children, your job just got even harder.
Inland Respite has a heart for parents with developmentally disabled children and adults whom they care for. We operate a respite care program throughout Southern California. Our team comprised compassionate and caring in-home caregivers who offer breaks for parents. We can provide companion care, assist with daily living needs, tasks, and routines, and help to maintain a safe home environment while you are away. Every parent needs a break, and those who are constantly in demand as the parent of a special needs child especially need one. Below, we'll offer up our list of the top five self-care ideas for moms with developmentally disabled children. Contact us for your next break today!
TOP 5 SELF-CARE IDEAS FOR MOMS WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN
Ask for Help
Too many moms attempt to be "super mom." From doing all of the care-taking of your developmentally child yourself to cooking, cleaning, running errands, planning family get-togethers and trips, and ensuring every holiday is perfect. If you go all day long with no down time, soon enough you will burn out. Instead, give yourself a break and find support where you need it. From community and professional support to family and peer support, there is no shortage of groups who have come together to give each other a helping hand.
Follow Your Passions
It's all too easy as moms to let motherhood be all-consuming. You can spend all of your time caring and doing for your developmentally disabled child that you forget to do things for yourself. This is one of the quickest ways to not only lead to burn out, but to also lead to resentment, anger, and maybe even depression. Whether your passion is painting, writing, exercising, or hiking, be sure to schedule your hobbies and don't push them aside when things come up. If you want to spice things up, try out some new interest you have and see where it leads. You never know when you'll find your next fun right around the corner.
Practice Gratitude
When you get the news that your child has a developmental disability, you can be devastated. After all, you probably had hopes and dreams for your child that now may never materialize. It's easy to fall into a trap of self-pity and wish for your family to be like other families. However, this attitude will only lead to resentment and bitterness. Instead, be grateful for your child, the opportunity to be a mother, and the life that you lead. There is no doubt that you have extra challenges; embrace them instead of resenting them. You will find joy in the little moments, and you will be fulfilled.
Indulge Every Now and Then
You work hard every day. From taking care of your child to your career, the house, the pets, and more, it can seem like you never stop. It's important to indulge every now and then in order to fend off being worn down from the constant need and activity all around you. Many people think of indulging as a bad thing; on the contrary, indulging is something you do to reward yourself for the hard work you put in every day. Perhaps you go out to a five-star restaurant, you get a massage, you go on vacation, or you go shopping. It can be as simple as reading a book you've been dying to read, or sitting in front of the fire on a cold winter day and doing absolutely nothing but pet your cat or dog. When you indulge, you will feel recharged and refreshed to tackle the next challenge in your life.
Take Advantage of Respite Care
Respite care is a service offered by Inland Respite that offers professional in-home caregivers who are trained to help with your developmentally child so that you can take a much-needed break. Our team is trained and experienced, and each of our companion caregivers love helping moms get the break they deserve. We can help with most non-medical services, such as assisting with daily living tasks, such as eating and bathing, to just entertaining your child by reading and storytelling. Each family, child, and need is different. The beauty of respite care is that you can leave your home worry-free to grab coffee with a friend, go for a long walk, or go to your local bookstore and pick out a book to read. Call us to learn more today!
CHOOSE INLAND RESPITE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY
As moms, you can feel incredibly guilty when you leave your infant or child with others. Rest assured that our in-home respite caregivers offer the best care possible. Plus, it's good for you and your child to take a break from each other if only for a few hours. If you have any questions about how we can help, reach out to a team member. We'd be more than happy to explain our process, how we work and hire, and so much more. Contact Inland Respite for companion care in Southern California today!