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.
I hate How Much This Illness Steals My Life.
I greatly regret and dislike how this Chronic illness of MECFS, Spinal Stenosis, and Fibromylagia dominates my life and takes so much away from me. This past weekend was my youngest brother's wedding. It was a long day, starting early in the morning and returning home quite late. Despite the length of the day, it was truly delightful.
Adventure Awaits! Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Playing Together Outside and Letting Their Imaginations Run Wild
In today’s world of screens and gadgets, getting children to engage in outdoor group play can feel like a challenge. Yet, time spent outside, especially in group play, is fantastic for children’s development – it builds social skills and boosts their creativity and imagination. Here’s how you can encourage your kids to step into an outdoor adventure with friends using tools like trampolines, scavenger hunts, and imaginative games.
How to Cope with a Heat Wave When Living With a Chronic Illness
Our first significant heat wave of the year is coming up this week. And, as someone living with chronic illnesses, the arrival of a heat wave can bring about extra challenges. I live with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), chronic pain, and fibromyalgia; I understand the toll that extreme temperatures can take on our broken bodies.
Air Dry Clay Ideas For Adults: Easy Creative Projects To Try
Explore the creative and therapeutic benefits of air-dry clay for adults living with chronic illness. Learn how to craft unique plant pots, jewellery, wall art, coasters, keyrings, sculptures, and embossed vases. Unleash your creativity and find relaxation with this versatile and easy-to-use medium.
6 Essential Travel Items for Mobility Aid Users
As summer approaches (next week), many of us have plans that involve day trips, travelling, and holidays. For someone who relies on a mobility aid, finding the right products can make a world of difference in the quality of their travel experience. Over the years, I have discovered some amazing products and services that have not only made travelling with a mobility aid easier but also added a touch of style and comfort to my journeys.
The Stages We Go Through of Chronic Illness
As someone battling chronic illness, I can attest to the rollercoaster of emotions and stages we go through when faced with such a life-altering condition. The journey is far from straightforward, and each stage presents its unique challenges and hurdles.
10 Practical Tips for Managing Housework with Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness is not enjoyable. It's not ideal, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It affects every part of our lives and our loved ones' lives, from our social lives to our careers, to how we manage self-care, and not forgetting the most mundane tasks like keeping up with household chores.
Summer Holidays Unleashed: The Joyful Benefits of Outdoor Play for Kids!
As summer holidays beckon with their promise of warm, sun-drenched days, parents have a splendid opportunity to enhance their children's development and enjoyment through outdoor play. Central to this are
6 Time Management Tips for Chronically Ill Mums
Being a parent is tough enough as it is, include chronic illness and chronic pain into the mix, and the difficulty level cranks up significantly. As a mum living with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), chronic pain, and fibromyalgia, the daily juggling act of parenting duties and
How Chronic Illness Gave Me Courage And Confidence To Pursue a Dream
Last week, I was thrilled to be accepted into the NCTJ foundation course through Ability Today charity funding. This incredible opportunity will allow me to pursue my passion for journalism and equip me with the skills and knowledge needed to
4 Misconceptions About Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a relentless companion that intertwines with every fibre of my being. It's a constant reminder of my limitations and an invisible force shaping the contours of my daily life. As someone who battles with various chronic illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome (MECFS), fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and chronic pain, I have encountered many misconceptions
Dealing with Devastating Remarks from Doctors: My Experience with Spinal Narrowing
The nurse explained that the Severe Foraminal Spinal Stenosis in my MRI results is caused by arthritis and degeneration in the spine. However, she also casually dismissed it as mere “wear and tear’. These words deeply affected me.
Empowering Self-Esteem: My Journey as a SGO to a Pre-Teen with Trauma
As a Special Guardian to a pre-teen daughter who has faced childhood trauma and abandonment issues, helping her navigate the complexities of self-esteem has been one of my most important responsibilities. I have witnessed firsthand the impact that these experiences have had on her sense of self-worth and confidence. Through patience, understanding, and a whole lot of love, I have embarked on a journey to teach my daughter the importance of self-esteem and help her build a strong foundation for a positive self-image.
Living With Chronic Illness: 5 Ways I am Embracing the Positives
As someone who has experienced the journey of living with chronic pain, I understand the challenges and struggles that come with such a life-altering diagnosis. However, through my personal experience, I have also discovered that there is a silver lining to be found amidst the pain and uncertainty.
Advocating for Your SGO Child: Navigating the Education Systems
As a parent with a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) child, navigating the education system has been a traumatic and overwhelming experience for both myself and my SGO child over the past 7 years. Luckily, we now have an EHCP in place, and she attends a specialist school, thus, things are a much more positive experience for all, and our SGO child is thriving in her new school.
10 Simple Yoga Poses to Help Relieve Chronic Pain
Living with a chronic illness and chronic pain is debilitating, challenging and ubiquitous, but I’ve found that incorporating gentle yoga poses into my weekly routine offers some relief. Even if the relief is small, I'm going to embrace it. I always make sure to listen to my body, modify the yoga poses as needed, and adapt.
Living With Chronic Illness: Why it’s important to accept the pain
Living with chronic illness and chronic pain, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a daily battle that is all-encompassing. The constant struggle to manage pain, navigate daily activities, and maintain a sense of well-being can be overwhelming. For me, accepting the reality of living with chronic pain was a crucial step towards finding peace and improving my mental health and overall wellness.
Mastering Messes: My Love Affair with Vacuums
My home is a lively and bustling place, filled with love from six humans and three furry companions. And, as someone living with chronic illness, I often find myself unable to do as much around the house as I would like due to my physical abilities. Simple household chores can quickly become overwhelming tasks. That's why having multiple vacuums
10 Self-Care Tips for Managing Chronic Illness During Spring
Spring is a beautiful season of renewal and rejuvenation, but for those with chronic illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (MECFS), chronic pain, or fibromyalgia, the changing season can bring its own set of challenges. The shift in weather, allergens in the air, and fluctuating temperatures can often exacerbate symptoms and make it harder to manage daily life. However, with the right self-care strategies in place, you can navigate the spring season with more ease and grace. Below I have written 10 self-care tips to help you manage chronic illness during spring:
The Unexpected Challenges of Taking on a Child - Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Journey
Have you ever wondered how you would react when faced with a sudden and unexpected situation of taking care of a child who is not your own? Life is unpredictable, and sometimes it can really catch us off-guard. Taking on someone else’s child can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, but it can also be a hugely rewarding one. So, what happens when you find yourself in such a situation?