How to better cope with migraines while caring for your kids.
- Your medication is as essential as all of the supplies your kids will need when you venture out.
- Many children might learn from—and even enjoy—playing nurse to their own parents.
- It’s important not to bring guilt into the equation, as that’ll just add emotional pain to the physical.
Experiencing a migraine as a parent can be especially unpleasant. In addition to considering your own health, you also have to worry about taking care of your children, who don’t necessarily grasp your pain.
Although the situation isn’t easy, there are a few steps you can take to make parenting with a migraine more manageable:
Always Bring Your Migraine Medication.
It’s tough to predict when a migraine is going to occur, but you can make sure you’re prepared. Getting stuck without the migraine medications that have been recommended by your doctor is bad enough when you’re alone and can be worse if your kid is with you. Remembering to bring your migraine medication is as essential as bringing all of the supplies your kids will need when you venture out.
Keep Trusted People on Deck.
You may be the kind of parent who wants to do it all. But when a migraine occurs, you’ll likely need someone to step in. Whether it’s one of your siblings or parents, or even a nanny, talk to the trusted adults in your life and know who you can call when you need some help.
Get Your Kids Involved.
Migraine pain can cut down on your enjoyment of family time, but there are ways to be with your children even during a migraine. For example, you might turn down the lights and ask your little ones to practice reading stories to you or sit in the play area with your toddlers while they play around you.
Just as you tend to your kids when they’re sick, many children learn from—and even enjoy—playing nurse to their own parents. So, if they’re capable, let them bring you an ice pack and help you feel better.
