Taking care of kids can be hard during the best of times. If you’re recovering from an injury, going to multiple medical appointments, and working with an attorney on a lawsuit or an insurance claim, taking care of the kids can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, just because it feels overwhelming doesn’t mean it’s impossible. There are things you can do to make taking care of your children a little easier while you’re recovering from an accident.
Parents always want to encourage honesty among their children, and yet, parents aren’t always so honest with their kids. That’s especially the case when it comes to talking about an injury. Many parents avoid saying anything, especially to younger kids, because they don’t feel it’s appropriate.
It’s actually much better to be open and honest about your injury and the recovery process with your children. With very young children, it may mean talking about how you have an owie that will take a while to heal. With older kids, it may mean being more specific about the details of your injury.
It also means talking to your kids about how life might be a little different during the upcoming weeks and months. You might talk about how you have to spend more time indoors, who will be driving them to school, or things your spouse is now going to do that you used to do. Keeping the lines of communication open will help your kids feel better about what’s going on.
But Try Not to Worry Them
Although you should be honest about your condition, it is important not to share too much. You want to be as impartial as possible. That means describing your condition and the changes it will bring without going into details that might worry them.
For example, it’s normal for your mental health to take a dive while you’re recovering, but that doesn’t mean you should talk to your kids about how it’s affecting your mood. It’s also important to stay as positive as possible about your recovery, even if you fear that you’ll never be the same again.
Stick to a Routine
Routines make life easier for kids, whether you’re recovering from an injury or not, but they can make life even more manageable if you aren’t able to do all the things you’re used to doing.
When your kids know what to expect, there is a lot less arguing about what they want to do as opposed to what they’re supposed to do. It makes them feel more in control, which is a good thing if they’re worried about your injury, and it means they are more likely to do things automatically without you having to ask. In short, having a routine and sticking to it means a lot less work for you.
Let Your Kids Help
If your kids know you’re injured or aren’t feeling well, they are going to want to help.
Let them!
Even very young kids can do things to help out while you’re recovering from an injury. A few ideas for ways your kids can help around the house while you’re getting back on your feet include:
Getting you things from around the house while you’re resting
Making simple lunches and dinners
Tidying and cleaning
Getting their own clothes from the closet
Making your bed
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Your kids can be a great resource when it comes to getting help around the house, but they aren’t the only ones in your life who will likely want to reach out and provide you with support as you’re recovering from an injury.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. A friend would be more than happy to bring over some dinner and keep you company, while a family member may be willing to pitch in and take the kids to school or practice in the evening.
It also means being willing to accept help. Accepting help isn’t always easy, but if you have friends or family who are offering to help, you should take them up on their offer. After all, you would help them if your roles were reversed!
Recovering from an accident is hard. Taking care of kids is hard. Doing both can seem nearly impossible, but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these tips and you can make your recovery more pleasant for yourself and your family.
