Simple Self Care Pointers from Generation Rescue We'll All Ignore
These are great tips from our friends at Generation Rescue. And most of us will ignore every single one of them, admit it. Self-care is nearly impossible for us as autism parents/caretakers. Let me let you in on a secret. Self-care is imperative. But it might not mean what you think. Sure, a manicure might be a nice break and make for pretty hands for a few days. A run or a hike will release endorphins, and Lord knows we need them. But self-care can also mean making really hard choices and decisions for the entire family. Whether you are a young family, single parent, managed autism for decades or somewhere in between, my best input (I won't deign to call it advice) is that you are open to changing course. Even radically. Trust your choices and be gentle with yourself. Even when others are not. Kim
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Moms often neglect themselves and don’t always take time for self-care for the sake of their children. Their reasons range from not having enough time to feeling guilty for not putting that time towards their children. But self-care is important and we asked some of our favorite mommy warriors for their tips on how to take time for themselves
1. Make self-care a priority.
On every flight, you hear the familiar safety precaution “please put on your oxygen mask before assisting others.” And there’s a reason they tell you that. A mom’s first instinct is to help their child, but you won’t have anything left to give if you don’t give yourself what you need first. Set aside a specific time period where you can take care of yourself. If you’re in a relationship, discuss your self-care regimens with your partner to build a stronger relationship and partnership.
2. Make it simple and sustainable.
Self-care doesn’t need to be an entire weekend, a full day or even an hour. Start with something small and let it grow from there once you’re comfortable. Read a book for thirty minutes, plan a coffee date, meditate while your child naps or catch up with a friend over Facetime/Skype. Doing small things for yourself will make all the difference at the end of the day.
3. Don’t let the mom guilt monster overcome you.
That moment is bound to come up where you’ve made plans, found a babysitter and you’re about to leave the house when you suddenly feel like you shouldn’t. You feel guilty for leaving your kids, but you shouldn’t.
Read more here.
I hope one day I will have peace of mind. I exercise daily and take supplements. I am a daily care giver and full time RN. I also have two kids in college. I feel that after spending one million on autism treatment...Here comes that word... I should pay for college for my two daughters. I am now seven years into this college stint. My free time is spent getting my son out of the house. My spouse is in a similar situation. We are roommates now working opposite shifts. We were bulldozed into Autism in 1995. We have survived so far. My hope is for my son to get a safe place to live when we die. I also hope my daughters are happy in their careers after spending much of their life in camp autism. Yes, I need my daughters to help him. I am devastated by the number of injured children I see in public when we go out. Many of the stories I hear on Youtube and else where leave me with a lot of sadness. It is so so hard living one day at a time in the Age of Autism. Thanks for listening.
Posted by: Loraine Fishel | May 24, 2018 at 11:30 AM
Me-Time is SO necessary for autism moms and dads. You have to make time for yourself. Invest in your wellness. No one is more deserving.
Posted by: Marie Simonton | May 23, 2018 at 10:55 AM
Mark,
I agree. I was shocked that the DSM-V took out the main diagnostic criterion of severe impairment in the acquisition and use of language (because the vaccine brain inflammation causes stroke-like damage to the neural circuits in the language center of the brain), replacing it with difficulty using "social" language, making it appear as though it were just a psychological anxiety problem. I have encountered MANY school personnel supposedly trained in autism who have said that a child who hears English used constantly every day their whole lives could not possibly have an inherent inability to comprehend and use it. Because the role of physical vaccine damage is almost unknown and unbelieved when it is brought up. I think labels are all right when they are truthful and accurate. The DSM-III was MUCH better, drafted before autism became such a political hot potato.
Posted by: cia parker | May 23, 2018 at 09:48 AM
I agree completely and I am even more cynical. I think the changes to the DSM are an effort by Pharma to muddy the waters and take the focus off those most seriously vaccine injured. I have seen first hand, having two children who are impacted differently. I can bet my life that they both were poisoned. Yet, I could not care less about labels that do little else but cloud the real issue.
Posted by: Mark Wax | May 23, 2018 at 07:39 AM