Viewing: Parenting and Chronic Illness
August 31, 2017
How to Clean up the Mess in Between Illness Storms
“Now, what?” I asked myself a few months ago. After years, consisting of very long days, of family struggles with mental and medical conditions, the season began to change. At first, I dared not believe it. So many times, there had been brief glimpses of light as we forged through the darkness. But, those moments seemed to fade quickly. Once... Read morePosted in Mental Illness, Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
August 22, 2017
But Seriously, Stop Kissing Me
My husband has an immune system made of steel. I’ve often wondered if he has a stash of kryptonite hidden underneath the bed he isn’t telling me about. A few years ago, when little red dots appeared first on the tips of my fingers and then journeyed up my palms, I told myself I was having a reaction to all... Read morePosted in Chronic illness and relationships, Parenting and Chronic Illness, Relationships | By Stacey Philpot
June 1, 2017
When We Drown in Our Not Enoughness
“Not to be mean, Mommy, but Daddy is nicer than you.” These are the words my five-year-old daughter graces me with as she fills our minivan with her endless chatter. So far, I’ve been chastised for my lack of passion in response, my tendency to stare blankly ahead, and general lack of entertainment value. I wonder silently if Daddy might... Read morePosted in Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
April 17, 2017
When It Feels like the Whole World Is Clueless
When I was young and brave or stupid, you decide, I flew to Dallas for Thanksgiving to visit family just as I transitioned into my second trimester of pregnancy. It was my first, and I was violently ill most of the time. If memory serves me correctly, I was twenty-one years old, sixteen weeks pregnant and signed up for a... Read morePosted in Chronic Life, Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
September 19, 2016
How to Deal When Your Child Prays for a Normal Parent
It’s been a hard week, and yet, it’s only half way through. You know those kinds of weeks, right? Where each morning you wake up and think, “Today, has to be Friday, right?” But somewhere someone is replaying the same dreadful Tuesday over and over again like a modern-day groundhog’s day. For me, a major culprit has been a particularly... Read morePosted in Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
September 1, 2016
The Roller Coaster of Life with a Chronically Ill Parent
Growing up is a roller coaster, and living with a parent with a chronic illness is another loop and turn to add to that roller coaster. My stepmom has an illness that is a major disadvantage to her way of living. Having this illness creates bumps in the road, but we can always get over them. There are some drawbacks... Read morePosted in Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
August 29, 2016
3 Epic Fails to Avoid
My goal today is to ensure you that you are in fact handling your chronic illness and life in general far better than you think you are. As evidence, I’ll introduce to you a horrifyingly embarrassing collection of personal epic fails from the last several weeks. This is how great my love for you is. I think we’ve talked about... Read morePosted in Chronic Life, Enjoyable Nonsense, Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
August 18, 2016
How to Cope with the Train Wreck of New Diagnosis
As I lay in the darkness, my fingers poised on the keys of my laptop, tears run down my cheeks as I listen to the sound of my son’s feeding pump a few feet away–a constant reminder that my normal isn’t really normal at all. In a recent trip to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, I sat in a chair watching... Read morePosted in Caregivers, Chronic Illness and Diagnosis, chronic illness; support, Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Heather Cole
August 15, 2016
Welcome to the Mommy Wars
It’s that time again Moms. I hope you’ve trained well. Soon you’ll be scored on your willingness to bake cupcakes and attend field trips. Your fundraising skills will weigh heavily on your rankings and sharp and motivated newcomers may threaten your position within the herd. May the odds be ever in your favor. Just last night, I attended my daughter’s preschool... Read morePosted in Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot
July 18, 2016
How Chronic Illness Changes Our Perspective
We spend our days, our years perhaps, searching for answers, for a word that explains what’s happening in our bodies or the body of our child, our sister, our mother, our partner. We believe, we hope, we long for the word to come and bring with it perimeters, a treatment plan, hope. Surely, if someone can tell us what’s wrong,... Read morePosted in Chronic Illness and Diagnosis, Chronic Life, Parenting and Chronic Illness | By Stacey Philpot