Living Life Daily

Ten Ways to Prioritize Mental Health While Quarantined with Special Needs and 8 Kids

Ten Ways to Prioritize Mental Health While Quarantined with Special Needs  and 8 Kids

The time quarantined with 8 children, including five teenagers and one child with profound special needs, has been intense. Prior to the worldwide pandemic, my husband Ryan and I successfully prioritized self-care. We understand how fragile our mental health can become in stressful circumstances, having each experienced bouts of overwhelm, PTSD, and anxiety. May is Mental Health Awareness month. Here are ten routines we have incorporated to preserve the integrity of our well-being that may be helpful to others as well.

The Two Phases of Lockdown for Special Needs Families

The Two Phases of Lockdown for Special Needs Families

As I see it, there are two distinct phases of coronavirus lockdown: the phase where you are waiting for things to get back to normal, and the phase where you let go of all previous “normal,” and begin to build what will be next. Here are some specific new things that have become helpful and strange provisions in this place.

The Most Important Quarantine Question

The Most Important Quarantine Question

Many of us are being asked, “How has social distancing and the quarantine impacted you?” Special needs or not, we all are affected and impacted by this time of quarantine. With that thought, here are a few things to realize together as we all readjust to a new normal of quarantine.

Creating Precious Memories in Difficult Times

Creating Precious Memories in Difficult Times

Parenting a child with additional needs or disabilities can be hectic, a bit overwhelming too, with so much to juggle, so much unpredictability and so many battles to fight, especially in these difficult times. So when precious moments come along, it is important to cherish them, enjoy them, to squeeze every single drop of joy out of them, a bit like we did with a very special moment a while ago.

Five Things to Help Heal from Grief

Five Things to Help Heal from Grief

You used to have motivation to do all the things, to tackle the challenges, to meet the needs, to love others well in a peaceful way. Now you feel sad, angry, grumpy, tense, or unmotivated. So, what is going on? What has changed? Why are you struggling? I’m seeing it strongly right now in the general population with the Coronavirus stay-at-home orders. Why?