Nothing Works (Part 2 of 3)

Dear Parent,

Get much needed respite.  

Short respite is a few hours of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. Long respite is a weekend each month or at least each quarter for rest or relief.

This is where parents start to resist. We can't get respite.  We are not made of money.  No one will watch our kids anyway.  It's completely impossible.

I truly empathize and have said those things a few times myself.  However, I did make it happen as a financially stretched, self-employed, single mother of two traumatized children.  I maintain that your ability to provide regulated attachment parenting to your attachment challenged child(ren) is contingent upon keeping your own emotions regulated. Respite is one of the best ways to do that.

Here are some suggestions:

• Ask neighbors, friends, family and your church pastor/priest for help with respite.  
• Put respite on the top of your budget priority list, just after food, shelter, and kid's shoes.
• Save your pocket change to pay for respite help.  Hire college students in the psych or child development area who are looking for experience with special needs children.  
• Call local adoption agencies and ask for resources they may know of for respite.
• Cruises can be kid friendly.  
• Go camping alone if after paying for respite you don't have money for a place to stay.  
• Swap childcare weekends with other special needs families.
• Look on the Internet for childcare co-ops.  
• Look for special needs groups and make friends with others who might be looking for the same thing.

Share resources.  Be creative. Don't give up. Get respite.

Love matters,

Ce

P.S. Check out the Love Matters Parenting Society membership for more support.