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How to Support Your Family After Getting Injured
When you’ve experienced a life-altering injury, it has devastating effects. However, it’s even more challenging when you have children to look after. Depending on the injury, you might be just as fragile as your children. Even though it might seem impossible, there are ways to show up for your children and be the parent they need. Consider the following tips to do this.
Have Candid, Age-Appropriate Conversations
Depending on the ages of your children, it’s important to have candid conversations about your limitations and abilities. You also need to have this conversation with family members you need help from. The most important conversation is the one you’ll have with yourself. You have to get used to a new way of living. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, get clear on the reality of the situation for yourself.
Pursue Legal Action
When you’re in the throes of parenthood and a painful injury, it’s hard to wrap your head around pursuing legal action. However, it’s imperative to do so. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you can put your family in a position to win financially. With the money you win from a lawsuit, you can outsource a lot of the chores you would’ve done on your own.
Create New Expectations
Since your family is used to seeing you move about in good health, it’s shocking to discover all the things you can’t do. However, there are ways to adjust. Create new expectations of yourself and your family members. If you’re tired around a certain time of day, give yourself the grace to take a nap. As you nap, create diversions for your children. Depending on their age, they might be able to safely watch a movie as you nap.
Seek Outside Help
Think about all of the tasks you’re used to doing on your own. Whether you drive the children to school, clean the house or cook all of the meals, take a hard, long look at what you can realistically delegate. If you’re hot-tempered with your children when they’re frustrated with their homework, keep the stress down by hiring a tutor to work with your child. See if there’s a free after-school club to assist children with their homework as well.
Plan Ahead
If it takes you a long time to do certain tasks, don’t wait until the last minute to get them done. Instead, plan ahead. If you know you don’t have much energy to stand and cook in the kitchen each day, consider preparing a bunch of meals in advance. Once you’ve prepped certain dishes like casseroles, store everything in the freezer.
As a parent, you still have the responsibility of making sure your children are cared for. If you’re in a position where you can only do so much, it’s still your job to make sure that someone handles the tasks. When you’re able to delegate, plan and include the additional steps, you’ll ensure that you’re doing the best you can for everyone.
