Feeling overwhelmed

Heather - posted on 09/17/2012

I'm not sure where you are at but I lived in Ohio and now back home in California and as a mom of an Autistic and a child with a traumatic brain injury I qualified for respite care and so should you! I know all about needing a break from the day to day cares of kids with special needs. You have every right to complain or rant. Let me know if there is anything I can do like research to help you get what you need to take care of your kids and yourself!! HUGS

Mary - posted on 09/16/2012

In New Zealand there are no day cares for special needs kids.

Just updating Miriam is doing great. She is goes to an ladys house and loves it and she also goes to Kindy. I feel a lot better for getting some time for me and also to be able to work in our business. Thanks for all you support

Sophia - posted on 09/15/2012

take it from me even if everyone wanted to take her you would still be worrying.. put her in daycare for special needs kids. take that time for yourself. they have social workers, nurse and teachers. best of all they know what to do . sometimes people dont know how to help... they just dont know.

Angela - posted on 02/15/2011

Good for you, Mary!! You've made a step in a good direction. I think you'll be amazed at the new sense of empowerment you'll get from knowing that you have time to focus on yourself. Your family will benefit as well!

Mary - posted on 02/15/2011

Hi Angela.
We are in New Zealand. Since writing this post, we have looked at putting Miriam into in home care for a few hours three days a week. At least i might get to go to the gum and start to feel better about myself. Non of our gyms have child care facilities so it is very hard to go if you have young children not in pre school or care. I think that once this is in place it will make all the difference for me.
Thanks for your support.

Mary

Angela - posted on 02/15/2011

Mary, Nice to meet you! Where do you live? There are non-profit groups with a mission to help parents with special needs kids to get a break. A few I know of are "Respite Care" and "The Arc". Also, your local churches may have a ministry to help in this area. Check out Care.com to find help suitable to your special needs child. Something I'm learning to do is tap into the resources available, expand our circle of "friends" and support. I'm even looking into getting an au pair.
It's nerve-racking to rely on someone else to help take care of your child...I've been there. But, people CAN learn to care for her and you'll have to accept that you need help and time for you to breathe.
Hope this helps.

Angela

Cassandra - posted on 02/14/2011

I can't speak for everyone, but I know I have days like that myself. Anyone who has a child with special needs has days where it feels like everything is a battle and we get exhausted. Breaks are very important for our sanity. Even if its just an hour or two to grab a meal. If you need to cry then cry. Get it out and then move forward. I wish you the best of luck and the stength to continue to do what needs to be done.

Faith - posted on 02/08/2011

Oh don't we all feel this way at times? Our lives are full of ups and downs. I try not to focus on how hard it is to make it through each day but rahter the end result. Sometimes that means focusing on accomplishing an appointment and other days I have to focus on what it will be like when the children are grown and the memories of the struggles are faded. Every pain that we feel as mothers trying to better the lives of our children is whole heartedly self inflicted. Immagine how we could ever look ourselves in the mirror if we just gave up! I try to take pride in the struggles knowing that I am doing the right thing and that is what makes me the mommy that I am. I know it is a lonely life but one day....children have children....and before you know it...YOU are the center of the love and affection. Before you know it...EVERYONE wants your company! I understand not being able to leave the children. My husband and I have 9 (some with disabilities and some typical) so there are not many sitters willing to take on that task. Even if we found a sitter...we couldn't afford it...lol. I make time for myself at the end of each day and then start all over again! Thoughts and Prayers to you all!! Bless you mommies!

Alycia - posted on 02/07/2011

I understand where you are coming from. I had to fight HARD for my daughter's diagnosis as well and have ZERO people who are willing to take her for even part of the day. She's always had severe sensory problems and putting her in facility care scares the bajeebies out of me. My hubby is frequently deployed and I get NO break. The one friend I have that watches her ever is really only available as often as I need to grocery shop so I get no break at all. Many days I feel burned out and "done" but like you said, there is no other option than continue.

If you ever wanna talk you can find me on facebook or email me (mom2babycarrie@gmail.com)

Mary - posted on 02/06/2011

No its not an option as she is not (bad) enough and it is to hard for people to learn to do the contats.

Iridescent - posted on 02/06/2011

It's hard no matter who you are when you're attached to your child constantly, regardless of their health. Can you check into respite care?