My kids are 7 1/2 and 4. They both know Mommy has boo-boos. My son knows the word arthritis but not the details. Often when he says grace or a prayer he prays for God to "make Mommy’s arthritis better’. Makes me want to cry. My daughter talks to her dolls and tells them Mommy is sleeping cause of boo-boos. I have had to miss events but try to make it to most. On holidays the kids know if we go anywhere ‘big’ Mommy needs a wheelchair. They will bring me a cane if they see me have difficulty getting up and walking. Or bring ice packs from the freezer. My friend has RA and is a breast cancer survivor (11 years now!) and her girls are both in university. They are extremely aware and supportive of people. Gives me hope. The youngest daughter assures me that her Mom was always awesome just with some down times. She sees my kids and tells me not to worry they will be fine. I am learning how to alter activities so I can go. Sometimes I drive to park to play or I can not play at the park with them. I like Nym’s suggestions/ ideas. I have fruit where they can reach and have a Rubbermaid tower system with craft stuff they can use. We play who can put the laundry away the fastest. It is not neat in the drawers but it is in them. Most of all I always tell them that even on bad days Mommy loves them and get gentle hugs and kisses. They are a wonderful motivation to keep going. They are such blessings. Greatest painkillers ever- my kids happy.
I don't have young children, but I have a husband who has been bedridden for years. I am a so-called "caregiver", and the PsA is supposedly from eight years of stress. He decided he was a cowboy before he became sick, so he bought a ranch that requires daily, backbreaking maintenance. Between his illness and mine, we can't afford to move, I find myself in the utterly ridiculous predicament of having to be a hearty cowgal, lifting, hauling, schlepping, with knees, legs and hands that make me howl in pain.
And the doctors always say this, which makes me nuts: "You have to take care of you, so you can take care of him." Does that pay backward at all? Who takes care of me, so I can take care of him?
How many acres do you have? Dry or Irrigated. You are fairly close Idaho Falls aren't you?
Hi June,
It is very difficult with small children, but just have faith that it does get better with time. I was first diagnosed when my daughter was born, they couldn't figure out my neck pain I couldn't hold her when she was crying for the most part. Do you have extended family or close friends that could help at times. I had to allow my mother to help me when my daughter was young and now she is 11 years old. She enjoys the annual walk for cure stuff in the summer. Getting involved in the cause and fundraising also has given me a chance to stop focusing on what I can't do and be a part of the world of things that you can do....