Welcome to my Lifestyle Parenting Blog, where I explore topics related to chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia while embracing a passion for yoga, books, and blogging.
How Everyday Activities Can Affect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Waxing
In the past few days, I've been having off days… but today's was a different kind of right-off.
Today I set out with a small task to make life easier for myself, and that was to wax my legs, so I don’t have to shave them during each bath (I struggle with baths).
Why I Prefer to Tumble Dry My Laundry
Laundry is basically my arch-nemesis, it's a never-ending brawl in my household! My family of six and three fur babies always seem to have something that needs washing. Some days I feel like I'm running a non-stop laundromat! And don't even get me started on my sons' "lump and dump" technique - they just let their dirty laundry sit there for days in their bedrooms, until they realise they are running out of clean clothes to wear. They pick up the whole lump of laundry and dump it all in the laundry basket, like a Mount Everest of clothes and bedding. But when I finally tackle that pile and the laundry basket is empty, it's cause for celebration! Even if my victory is short-lived...
How Everyday Activities Can Affect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Having A Bath Edition
Picture this: a cosy bathtub, bubbles floating on the surface, a book propped up on the ledge, warmth and quietness as you sink into pure relaxation and tranquillity. Sounds what you’d expect for having a bath, right? But for me, as someone with ME, the thought of taking a bath can be daunting.
Embracing Shortcomings as a Mum by Celebrating Imperfections
Being a parent is no easy feat, but being an ultimate parent is even more daunting. As a mum, I always strive to be the best I can be for my children. However, let's be real - I make plenty of mistakes along the way. Despite the pain that comes with messing up, I make a point to learn from my errors and become a better mum because of them. Over my 23 years of parenting, I've learned that embracing my imperfections leads to personal growth, a stronger bond with my kids, and a more fulfilling parenting journey.
Finding Acceptance and Positivity When Living With Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness is tough, there's no denying it. It can drain you mentally, physically, and emotionally. But I refuse to let it defeat me. It's been a journey of acceptance and positivity, finding that perfect balance to live my best life despite the limitations that my body has forced upon me. And let me tell you, it's not easy, but it's worth it.
Mindful Motherhood: Why Self-Care Is Important for Both You and Your Children
Being a mum is one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences a woman can have. It brings so much joy, fulfilment and happiness. However, it is also be incredibly challenging. As a mum, you are constantly putting your child’s needs first and trying to balance work, family, and social obligations. In the midst of all this, it can be easy to neglect your own well-being and neglect the importance of self-care.
Treasure Your Kids When They're Little - They Grow Up Fast
When you’re about to have your first child they talk about the challenges of parenting....the struggles of sleepless nights, the tantrums, the messy house, having to take time off when they don’t feel well, helping them with homework, the never-ending laundry, the cost of bringing up a child, dinner-time challenges etc.. etc....
You watch and encourage them in their passions,
Why I Use Yoga to Help Me Live with Chronic Pain
Living with cervical spinal narrowing, arthritis in the spine, mechanical back pain, MECFS, fibromyalgia, and chronic tennis elbow is a daily battle for me. Pain is my constant companion, and exercise intolerance is a frustrating reality. But I refuse to let it control my life completely. While medication helps, I don't want to be reliant on to many painkillers that may well leave me unable to fully function. So, I've had to find other means and ways to try different ways to manage the pain.
We are Lucky to Live In A Place With So Much Natural Beauty
The Guardian newspaper recently published an article about my hometown, Lowestoft, and how stunning the town centre and our golden beaches are. As a resident of this beautiful town, I completely agree with their sentiment. We are lucky to live in such a stunning location, with no shortage of amazing natural surroundings.
Tips for a Smooth Transition to Secondary School
Big news! My youngest is finally making the big switch to secondary school this September! We're all thrilled now that the SATs are over and done with and now we can focus on preparing for the big transition. I've done this before (3 times), so I've picked up some great tips and have a few up my sleeve that I can’t wait to share to make things a little smoother for my little one. Moving from primary to secondary school can be overwhelming and daunting, but with the right preparation, it doesn't have to be stressful at all.
The Trials of Mixing Kids' Laundry: A Parent's Struggle
Discover the challenges of managing kids' laundry - from never-ending stains to sorting chaos. Explore tips for making this daunting task a little easier.
Having A Chronic Illness Is A Full Time Job
On one of my previous posts about my chronic illness journey a reader left a lovely comment “it honestly feels like a part time job sometimes” – this comment hit home, it resonated with me because it captures the reality of the situation. It was the first time I’d thought of it in that way, but she is correct, being chronically ill is a Part/Full Time Job.
How a Puppy Helped With My Health Grief: The Power of Dog Companionship
Dealing with the grief and challenges of a disabling health condition can be an arduous journey. I lean on my husband and children for support, but I also look to my two 7 year old beagles (Poppy and Kiwi). But, we had yearned for a third dog for a while, but delayed it due to my illness, and also the barmy high prices during lockdown. On my birthday I had a quick look for puppies like I had many times prior, but this time I spotted one that caught my attention.
What a ME/CFS Crash Feels Like
What a ME/CFS Crash Feels Like
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) was first mentioned to me when I was at the spinal clinic at my local hospital. I got angry because I didn’t want a diagnosis of ME/CFS, I felt I was being dismissed with an untreatable illness that has a huge stigma to it; an illness that has a long-term history of being dismissed and ignored, not only by the public but by many in the health profession.
Things No One Tells You About Cleaning As An Adult
With 4 children, 3 dogs, and a bearded dragon cleaning as a parent is a never-ending task, and I can feel overwhelmed at times - it’s a thankless task that can be rewarding, i.e. a labor of love.
Here are a few things that often don't get mentioned about cleaning as an parent:
5 Lessons I learnt My Kinship Daughter Taught Me
We’ve had Special Guardianship for 10 years now… wow, where has time gone. As with most, if not all SGO’s the child comes into your life completely unexpected, and with little or no notice. It flips your life completely upside down (that’s an understatement).
Over the 10 years I have reflected on the journey and the lessons I learnt My Kinship Daughter Taught Me:
Being a Mum Can Be Hard
Whether you’re a mum by birth, legal guardian, step-mum, or kinship, its bloody hard.
Yes, being a Mum is hard, but it’s also amazing. It is full of oxymorons, fear, doubt, joy, love, and so much more; it makes you feel like a failure, but then makes you feel like you are super human. It makes you feel like you are crazy. And makes you feel like the most patient person in the world, but makes you feel like the most impatient person in the world.
The Unwelcome Transition To a Chronic Illness
Transitioning from a fast-paced, demanding job to a slower-paced life due to chronic illness can be a significant change. The shift in responsibilities, daily routines, and priorities can be challenging to adapt to, especially when lifestyle changes are necessitated by conditions like chronic fatigue and chronic pain.
Appointment Fatigue
The past couple of years have involved GP / consultant appointment, after GP / consultant appointment, test, after test as well as results and referrals. It’s all so very exhausting.
"Appointment fatigue" is a phrase used colloquially to describe the exhaustion or weariness that can arise from having numerous healthcare appointments, particularly when managing a chronic illness. It can be physically and emotionally draining over time.
The Impact of a Disabling Health Condition: A Personal Journey
A diagnosis of a debilitating health condition is like receiving a double-edged sword; it provides the much-needed answers, yet heralds an era of gruelling challenges. It's an overwhelming experience, one that left me feeling defeated, not by some unseen enemy but by my own body.