Parenting a Particular Wants Baby Takes a Toll on the Physique
Parenting a child with special needs can be difficult in many ways. One challenge is the mental health implications that make self-care essential for parents of children with special needs. But it can also take a physical toll on the body.
Parents can be affected by being tired most of the time, among other things. Life is often hectic for the parents of a disabled child. The body can feel like it is constantly juggling doctor appointments, administering medications and other treatments, attending therapy sessions, and much more. And that in addition to everyday activities such as feeding, bathing, nappy changing and playing with a child.
Doing all of these things day in and day out is physically demanding. It can lead to a lack of motivation to do the things parents usually enjoy because we only focus on how much we want to sleep.
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Special needs parenting has also affected my body by inflicting painful injuries on me for carrying around my 3 year old son Cayden, who weighs 32 pounds. Since Cayden cannot walk due to his low muscle tone, I usually carry him from place to place when we’re home. I also lift him in and out of the car, carry him up the stairs, and get him in and out of his crib.
When he was younger these things were easier and it didn’t really affect my body. But the older he gets, the harder it gets. I have back pain every now and then and recently tore the rotator cuff in my left shoulder. While I’m not sure what caused the shoulder injury, my doctor suggested that carrying excess weight all the time can put strain on my muscles, which makes sense as I do it every day.
Being a special needs parent can also put a strain on their weight. Things like stress, anxiety, and depression can cause atypical weight fluctuations. Most parents with special needs are no stranger to these occurrences. Struggling with weight can affect a parent both physically and mentally.
Despite all these difficulties, as parents we wake up every day determined to stand up for our children and fight for them. Nobody said this trip would be easy. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
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