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Prepare to Be the Perfect Parent: A Guide
for Parents with Disabilities
Guest Post by Jenna Sherman
You’re going to be so proud and so thrilled
watching your little baby grow up. It’s much more than just hearing their first
words or capturing their first steps on video. There’s bonding, teaching and
healing from their joy at the wonders of the world.
Of course, parenthood also comes with
sleepless nights, round-the-clock diaper changes, and spit-up stains on your
clothes. Parenting is hard, and you
may be worried about how your disability could make it even more challenging.
The truth is, your physical limitations don’t
have to be a huge problem. Twinkle Teaches outlines some ways you can
prepare to become the perfect parent despite any impairment.
Master the Basics
Learn how to take care of a baby in a very practical
sense. Tasks like bottle-feeding, burping and changing diapers can be more
difficult than they seem. Moreover, your disability may affect how you go about
them. Some mothers and fathers even recommend practicing with a doll before the
big day arrives.
Make a Financial Plan
The experts at Charles Schwab recommend
looking into life and disability insurance to secure your baby’s future. That
goes along with enlarging your emergency fund while taking advantage of tax
breaks. Those are particularly important for you, as there may be additional
cash outlays due to your disability (see below).
Adapt Your Home
When you’re a parent, increased mobility becomes even more important, as you’ll often have a baby in your arms. Building a ramp at your entrance will improve matters greatly, along with widening doorways by installing expandable hinges. Don’t forget the safety benefits of skid-resistant flooring, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
Also do what you can to remove negative energy
-- which can lead to poor health -- from the home, which takes many forms.
Clutter and windows or window coverings that are rarely opened can contribute
to overall bad vibes in any space, and when you’re home with a new baby, it’s
easier than ever for family members to tense up with one another. So declutter, open those windows, use essential
oils and aromatherapy, and look into alternative, centuries-old solutions to
welcome in positive energy.
Prepare for Long Nights
You may want to keep the baby in your own
bedroom, especially if you have mobility issues. Doing so eliminates the need
to navigate in the dark when the tyke wakes up and demands a midnight feeding.
Redecorate, if necessary, to create a safe space for your new roommate and
their crib.
Set Up a Bathing Space
Make sure your baby’s bathing area is easily
accessible. Many mothers and fathers use the sink, but that may be too high if
you’re in a wheelchair. A specially-designed baby bathtub could be a better option for you,
notes The Bump, with other supplies arranged within arm’s reach nearby. That
should help you keep the little one squeaky clean without too much stress and
strain.
Fix the Transport Problem
There’s no reason being disabled should stop
you from taking your little love for a walk on a sunny day. Romper recommends an attachment that connects their stroller to
your wheelchair, if you use one. This will allow you to cruise around in
comfort and style.
Build a Support Network
Every parent needs support. You’ll find family
and friends who are willing to help out with some of the chores around the
house. All you need to do is ask. If you’re looking for advice from someone in
the same position as you, the Disabled Parenting Project has that covered.
Mind Your Own Health
You’ll find your new role as a parent to be very physically taxing, requiring immense stores of energy. Make time to eat nutritiously, and find ways to relax as often as you can. It’s possible, though you may have to get creative, such as with a warm bubble bath from time to time. Comfortable clothes are also a way to relax; your body’s going through enough without having to deal with scratchy or unforgiving (tight) materials, so invest in fabrics that stretch with you and designs that allow for easy nursing and serve multiple functions, like a nursing lounge dress from Kindred Bravely that can also be worn as a nightgown.
Our tips will help put you on the path to
being a successful parent. And what does that mean? Raising a healthy child and
having a wonderful time doing it.
