You know the old adage, “life is a marathon, not a sprint.” For parents like us though, life is a marathon AND a sprint, often with no water breaks. Relentless. Despite our best intentions, we end our days feeling as if nothing we set out to accomplish got done. It’s not for lack of trying! Here’s the thing: the normal that we’ve grown so accustomed to is nothing like that of our parent peers. Instead of looking at what’s not checked off of the To-Do List, look back at what you DID do. It’s probably more than most. Case in point: this very article is past due. I take deadlines seriously. But the stomach bug has been working its way through my family. First my 9-year-old, then me, then, while I was still recovering, my 14-year-old. Most teenagers are fairly self-sufficient when throwing up. Not my guy. So even though I had plenty of time built into my week to finish this and all the other things, that time was spent caregiving, and steam cleaning, and being very sick myself. We’re never doing enough, because there is just too much demanded of us. Think about it. Most parents aren’t interrupted at work by near daily calls from the school nurse because their child with ADHD has an anxiety induced stomach ache. Most parents don’t have an entire closet dedicated to medical supplies. Most parents don’t know what encopresis is or the emotional impact NOV/DEC 2024 PARENTING SPECIAL NEEDS.ORG 27
Parenting Special Needs Magazine November/December 2024: Page 27
