A friend asked me recently how much free time I had in a day, and it got me thinking. I decided to keep notes of some of my days. I know we all juggle so much and if we all had that magic wand, one thing we would wish for would be the gift of extra time.
As special needs parents, there is often a lot of multi tasking. Many of our children are unable to do so things that our typical kids can. Other times, we just do things because it is easier and/or faster.
I thought you might like to see in writing, what a day may consist of. In fact, maybe you will choose to share this with a friend or family member.
You may look this over and come to the realization, if you have not already, that we are capable of doing so many things at once and that, for the most part, we are keeping it together. ( Visual of a superhero! – because, we are)
Accepting that we may not have many other choices surely helps to keep us going, but it is tiring.
This is a list I came up with, in NO particular order, because, who has order?
What have I forgotten?
Make a list
Doctor Appointments scheduled
IEP goals reviewed
Calling for Prescription refills
Shopping for Favorite foods
School events attended
Preparing Food for the day, 4 different ways, 4 x a day
Reports to teachers /aides etc
Carpooling after school
Make another list
Laundry
Picking out clothes
Go to the park and hope you don’t have to defend your child
Thinking and obsessing about the plans for the future
Wishing for an easier life for our child
Driving to school
Driving To therapy
Driving To the gym
Look for your list
Researching new doctors
Looking into new treatments
Returning 16 calls on your cell phone
Hope that your child is having an ok day
Schedule your oil change
cross off your list, add to your list, look for your last list
Worry about everything
Help a friend
Eating Bon Bons on the couch- KIDDING ! 🙂
Realize you have not showered
Watching your child sleep and knowing you are doing the best you can and will do it all it over again tomorrow.