Disclosure: This is an unsponsored informational post. Ashley is a mom with first hand experience, who wanted to get some great information out to our readers. Feel free to send her questions.
Ashley has severe scoliosis. She created DisabledParents.org to provide information and resources to fellow parents raising their children while living with disabilities.
Photo by Pixabay
Bringing Home Baby: Helpful Tips for Disabled Parents
There are plenty of books and online articles touting advice for what to expect when you’re expecting and how to prepare your home for your new arrival. However, what many of these articles lack is what makes your situation unique – your disability. It hasn’t stopped you up to this point, and it certainly won’t prevent you from being a wonderful parent, but it would be nice to receive some helpful advice with you in mind. Parenting with a disability will look different from family to family, but the following tips are helpful nuggets of knowledge for everyone.
Get the House in Order
One of the most important things you can do is make your home more accessible for you and safe for your little one. Zero-step entrances, widened doorways, and slip-proof flooring make it easier to safely navigate your home with your baby in tow if you have mobility issues, not to mention it can decrease the chance of injuries once your child becomes mobile. Set up a one-stop shop area in your home complete with baby and parental essentials so that you aren’t constantly getting up and down – this can serve as a play area too. Baby-proofing is a must too, especially if you aren’t able to respond to a loud crash (or lack of noise) as quickly as you’d like. These infographics (courtesy of the Bump) will make sure all the rooms in your home are safe.
Find the Parenting Tools That Work for You
With a little research and online browsing, you’ll find that there are several baby products made specifically with disabled parents in mind. There are cots with an open side for easy access to your baby from the comfort of your bed, walking wings so you can experience the magic of helping your child learn to walk minus the bending, and even bathtub sets at the perfect height for parents in a wheelchair. Keep in mind that the tools you need are unique to you. For example, Verena Cristofaro-Frydberg, a mother of two with MS, has live-in child care and gets creative with her parenting hacks, such as making the bed with three layers of sheets to make changing easier and keeping the car stocked at all times to avoid the “I forgot it” moment.
Plan for the Future
A new baby is in your future, but adding to your family means planning beyond that as well by putting safety nets in place. First and foremost, it’s time to update the will. This is where you designate who will inherit what, as well as choose a guardian (and an alternate) for your child. Rather than a joint will with your spouse, it is best to create separate wills so that the survivor can make changes without having to jump through any legal hoops. While you are dealing with the not-so-fun stuff, considering purchasing burial insurance. Similar to a life insurance policy, the benefit is used for funeral-related expenses, which can ease the burden and stress on your spouse and family members should you pass away earlier than expected due to medical issues. On the opposite end of the spectrum, don’t forget to add your baby to your life insurance policy. You typically have a window of 30 to 60 days to enroll your child, and coverage will begin on the date of birth. The birth of a child is full of new experiences (and plenty of newborn doctor’s visits), so having that coverage offers peace of mind.
Take Care of Yourself
For parents, self-care can’t be emphasized enough. Not only do you need to stay on top of your health, including doctor’s appointments, medications, and exercises, but you need time to relax too. Make time to read, drink a cup of coffee, or simply ask a friend to watch your little one so you can eat lunch in peace. The bottomline: Don’t be afraid to treat yourself and ask for help. Look for support from your family, friends, and partner. Even something as simple as having someone take over baby duties for one afternoon each week can free you up for self-care. Your support network likely wants to be as close to the baby as you are. There’s a good chance they won’t mind spending some quality time with their littlest family member while you tend to your own needs for a change.
Congratulations on becoming a parent! New experiences await you, and you’re more than ready to handle them. Parenting is challenging, but your disability has prepared you for the challenges you will overcome, making success that much sweeter.
Need some help with home adjustments? WE have a directory for that (for the home) and Chris Kissik Painting and Construction
