Support and Self-Care
We all need support in our daily lives. We need someone we can turn to when things are hard and someone we can celebrate with when things go very well. It is important for parents and families living with FASD to seek out support and take part in self-care both during the hard times and during the easier times. Many families find themselves in difficult situations. Some families:
- Feel alone and overwhelmed;
- Feel they have nowhere to turn;
- Have chronic high levels of stress;
- Have a sense of guilt, shame or self-blame;
- Have physical health problems;
- Experience mental health problems;
- Feel compassion fatigue;
- Experience burnout; or
- Face stigma.
Lack of self-care has serious consequences. A parent or caregiver who is unwell physically, mentally or emotionally will not be able to care for themselves or for others. You cannot care for others unless you first take care of yourself. Self-care builds strength, energy to cope with the troubles and helps with recovery from hard times. If you are feeling like you need support or self-care the FASD Support Network of Saskatchewan is here to help.
What can I do?
- Make an effort to find and enjoy stress-relieving activities.
- Arrange in-home support or respite care if you can.
- Take a break, even if only a short break.
- Contact the FASD Family Support Workers for one-to-one or telephone support.
- Ask about community support like parent-to-parent telephone support or meetings.
- Find people to talk with. Seek professional counselling, talk with an elder, spiritual leader or trusted friend.
- Step back from your child’s behaviour and try not to take it personally.
There is Hope. There is Help.
Do not assume that caring for or loving a child, youth or adult with FASD only comes with troubles. Families also experience the many rewards of raising a child through the lifespan. In contrast to some of the serious issues, families living with FASD have unique opportunities to learn to look at success in new ways. Families discover ways to celebrate small successes on a daily basis and accept what life has to offer.
Parents and family members talk of the joys of overcoming struggles. They find pleasure in seeing children, youth and adults live safer and healthier lives. They share in the delight of each success and every goal reached. Families find ways to thrive, if even for a moment, a day or a short time. We hope you can too.