Whenever possible, it is important that parents and caregivers share the responsibility of caring for a sick child. Feelings of resentment, fatigue and stress can build up if one caregiver has to do all the planning and work. Working together can help prevent burnout by sharing the load. Give each other time away from care duties. It also helps to plan time together, apart from your child or children, just as you did before. Your child will also benefit from growing up in a household where health-care responsibilities are shared evenly.
In single-parent families, try to arrange for another family member or a close friend to help with your child’s care from time to time. Maybe they can provide relief by babysitting. Ensure that babysitters and other caregivers know about your child’s condition and in particular, what to do in case of an emergency. Most health-care teams will provide education for such caregivers.
The challenge many caregivers may face is learning how to fit your child’s needs into their lifestyles. This may require some creative problem-solving, often with help from the health-care team. Here are some suggestions:
- Get everyone in the family involved. Caring for your child is a partnership between the child and the entire family. It is helpful when both parents take responsibility and other family members become involved. Talk about your feelings in an open manner.
- Draw on the support of others: grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends, caregivers, teachers, coaches, counsellors and so on. They may provide practical support or emotional support. Be clear about what type of support each person can offer, to avoid disappointment when asking for assistance. The more they know about your child, the more comfortable you will feel when they are in charge of caring for your child.
- Do not hesitate to use the health-care team as a resource. Consult them not only about your child’s diagnosis and treatment, but also about emotional, social, behavioural and learning issues. Keep them informed of any changes. Do not be afraid to ask questions when talking with the health care team about your child.
- Make good use of any community health services available.
- Do not be embarrassed to ask for help. You cannot do everything by yourself.