As a follow-up to my article of Stolen Childhood, I turn my attention to us, being parents. Today I aptly entitle my article; Stolen Parenthood.
There is an anticipated joy that becomes apparent when we know we will be parents. The responsibility, as we are all fully aware, is tremendous. Every decision we make is to better our child. What happens when diabetes takes up residence?
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind what we do for our children when diabetes hits. We will do all we can to get their lives as close to normal as possible…….even as I write those words, a lumps sets in my stomach. Truly that challenge is daunting at best, but we take it on full force.
But what about us? Do we give ourselves the same shot we attempt to give our children? Do we strive to do all we can to get our lives back to normal as we do our children? If not, why not? Do we buckle our seatbelts for their wild ride yet leave ourselves ‘unharnessed’ in the driver’s seat of our own lives? Do we just take it as it comes?
All important questions to ask, don’t you think? I would like to say that our kids are watching and we should do all we can to make it look like we are keeping it all together for their benefit but the truth of the matter is that we need to do more. Remember that saying, looking out for number one and number one being ourselves? Listen to me carefully here. You can find a hundred million excuses why we let ‘us’ go by the wayside, but there is really only one good reason….and that answer is YOU.
No you cannot do anything about your circumstances and you will deal with your kids as you have been doing since day one. But when was the last time you had your hair done, your nails done, took a walk along the shore or a walk in a park, went to a concert (and almost every community has free ones you can attend), or did anything for just you. You MUST.
If you do not relax your mind, find a way to relax your mind, everything will be impacted from your own self-worth to every relationship you have. You must find a way to take care of……..you.
Parenthood is not a job, a business, a vocation…….it is an absolute gift. Whoever receives a gift and allows that same gift to become the biggest obstacle in their own life? Who would ever allow that to happen?
Now, there are always circumstances way beyond our control that can really throw our lives ‘into a tizzy’ (as my mom would say). My question to you is how hard have you tried to hold on to the joys of parenthood. The joys of life. One shot on this earth. That’s it. What choice have you made?
Look around you, why are some enjoying life at every turn and you just cannot? There is no magic trick. There is psychological help if you need it, there are medical professionals who can help, and there are choices you can make. No one should live life in misery. If you cannot ‘shake this on your own’ speak to your medical doctor. But take today and evaluate how you get from point A to point B; and do it.
Look at your life and decide (realize) today that parenthood should be much more joyful than it has been; and take the steps to get you there. Every day does not have to be ‘twinkle toes’ but every day does not have to be walking on hot coals either. You deserve better than that…….the challenge remains that the only person who can give that to you……is you. Now go find YOU!
I am a diabetes dad.
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