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Aging not so gracefully with a special needs child


I have a theory that parenting a special needs child makes a parent age quicker.
I do have some evidence to support this theory.
Exhibit A - I have a lot more grey hair than my mom had at my age. According to our genetics, I should have a beautiful, grey free head of hair until at least the age of 45 years - I am only 37 years old now and already have 10% silver coverage adorning my head.
Exhibit B - I have night sweats. Horrible, yucky, wake up with my hair wet, night sweats. The low or changing levels of estrogen in particular are the cause of night sweats. Perimenopause usually happens between ages 40 and 50. Thank you google, again I am 37!!
Exhibit C - I am always tired. If I could I would take a nap every chance I could get. But, with the sleep police (Jacques) always in the vicinity that would be hazardous to my health. He slaps his victims awake without a flinch and usually finds it hilarious as well.
Exhibit D - joints I never knew I had are making creaking noises so bad, I seriously sound like rice crispies - snap, crackle and pop.
While I am writing this article my husband is telling me that it's all in my head. I guess I should take it as a compliment that he doesn't think I am that old yet. But somedays I really feel older than my years and I attribute that to the stress caused by raising a child who is medically complex.

Knowing your sons life is quite literally in your hands is a stressful job. If I forget to give him his insulin or by mistake double dose him it could get really bad really fast. This is a lot to carry with you all the time, and my body (and mind) is starting to show some wear. I am sure that most special needs parents (if not all) can relate to the feeling of age catching up (and overtaking) us sometimes. But still, we get up and do what needs to be done because we have very special and fragile kids to take care of. My only advice to other parents is try to take care of yourself as much as possible too. I am trying to do some things just for me, and it helps a bit. Don't lose yourself in the process of taking care of everybody else.

Comments

  1. Liezl MeintjiesOctober 17, 2019 at 7:57 PM

    Love jou posts. Keep them coming. Jy is 'n ma 1000000 x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elsa PieterseOctober 18, 2019 at 5:49 PM

      Dankie Liezl. Ek geniet die blog vreeslik baie en dit doen my goed.

      Delete

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