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Essential Elements to Building a Self-Care Plan for Parents of Children with IDD
Feb-09-2023
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Essential Elements to Building a Self-Care Plan for Parents of Children with IDD
Enjoy this guest blog post by Patrick Young, from Able USA.
Image via Pexels
Raising a child with special needs can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. As a parent of a child with special needs, it is important to take the time to focus on self-care. In this Imagine! blog post, we will discuss the essential elements for developing a comprehensive self-care plan for parents of children with special needs.
Finding Support
One key element of any successful self-care plan is finding support from family and friends. Having people around you who understand your situation and offer words of encouragement can make all the difference when times get tough. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to reach out to other parents who are raising children with similar needs as yours – they may have valuable advice that could help you on your journey.
Taking Breaks
Another important element of any successful self-care plan is taking breaks when needed. It is okay to take some time away from your child to recharge and recenter yourself. You don’t have to feel guilty about taking some time off – your child will benefit from seeing that you can maintain balance in life while still being an attentive parent.
Personal Goals
Setting realistic and achievable goals is another key component of any effective self-care plan for parents of children with special needs. For example, setting goals like getting a degree or taking up a new hobby can give you something tangible to work towards while also helping you stay motivated and focused on the task at hand. Additionally, these goals can provide much-needed breaks from the daily challenges associated with raising a child with special needs. You can pursue personal goals like starting a business - this provides both an income stream plus additional flexibility depending on the type and scope chosen. This doesn't mean giving up everything else though; rather find ways to incorporate passion projects into an existing schedule where possible such as side hustles.
Exercising Regularly
Exercise has been proven time and again as one of the best ways to boost mental health and reduce stress levels. Not only does regular physical activity burn calories and help keep weight under control, but it also releases endorphins which act as natural mood enhancers that leave us feeling energized and refreshed after each session. Adding regular exercise into the mix will help bring balance and restore vitality in your life as a parent.
Being Intentional About Self-Care
Make sure you carve out time every day specifically dedicated just for yourself – whether it’s reading your favorite book or catching up on some sleep or simply going out for coffee by yourself. This intentional break from reality will not only give you much-needed respite but will also give you renewed energy when returning home after completing your activity.
Switching Jobs For Better Hours
If possible, consider switching jobs so that you have more flexible hours that better accommodate caring for your child's special needs as needed - this might involve working evenings/weekends instead but if it provides more stability then by all means go ahead. Additionally, having access to vacation days helps ensure that caregiving duties are met without sacrificing quality family time.
Using A Template To Update Your Resume
As a parent of a child with special needs, taking care of yourself is essential. To ensure you’re doing that, it’s important to be intentional about styling your self-care plan. One way to get started with the plan is with a resume generator. It’s an innovative way to create a personalized document with all of the info relevant for showcasing your unique career history, education, and professional experiences with potential employers. This way there is no need to worry about formatting issues or typos which could otherwise lead them astray.
Parents of children with special needs have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on their overall satisfaction and well-being by creating an effective self-care plan. Tailoring these plans to one’s unique circumstances, preferences and goals offer many options - like joining support groups, taking intentional breaks, or even starting business ventures! In other words: investing in yourself as a parent is essential for navigating complexities while reaping invaluable rewards down the road.
