Mom Life with a Chronic Illness

I have been living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which has gotten worse over time, for 25 years now. Having it changed everything. About who I am as a mom, how I was able to navigate through life, and even the way I saw myself as a person.

It took me a long time to give in and stop expecting way too much of myself. Has that ever been a challenge for you?

And do you, too, find it tricky to try to make plans when you can't know, in advance, how you're going to feel?

Below, are several tips from one sick and tired mom to another...

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3 Tips to Keep in Mind

 
(1) "All Plans Are Soft Until Confirmed" - this is a quote from The American President. I think it fits for us, too.

Don't stop dreaming about how you want to spend your time. Yes, you have to keep your limitations in mind, but don't stop wishing for days that work out.

But on the other hand, let go of the outcome and teach those who love you to do the same. You may not be able to do what you've planned, and it will be much easier to accept it if everyone is clear on that in advance.

Make contingency plans, especially for your kids. As an example, I homeschool my son, but if I have a sick day, he does independent study, writes a summary of what he learns and shows it to me on our next homeshooling day.

(2) Schedule Lots of Blank Space - honor the spoons. if there's something that really needs to get done on a certain day, make that the only plan or outing. And clear the day beforehand and afterward, in case you need to rest.

If you find you don't need the extra time, many things will offer themselves to you to fill it. But it's important to have that safeguard in place, just in case.

(3) Let Others Help - do you ever worry about the impact of your illness on your family? I definitely have. What helps is letting friends and family step in when I need them to do so.

One summer, my son wanted to go to Vacation Bible School and I was too sick to take him each day. So a friend and a neighbor alternated picking him up and bringing him back.

Where could someone in your life offer that kind of help?

If you would like an entire ebook created just for us, there's a planner with our names on it. It's called the Thrive with Chronic Illness Planner & Journal, created by Tanya at Mom's Small Victories and it is part of the Ultimate Productivity Bundle I told you about in a previous post.

Click the link or the image above to get it and support your focus on managing your time and energy.

And to see what else is in the bundle, click here & head to bit.ly/finding-more-time.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine