Parents with Multiple Sclerosis
School has started up again for most kids, which means an insane amount of running around, extra-curricular events, organizing breakfasts while getting kids ready for school, trying to get lunches ready, trying to get yourself ready for your day, etc. The list seems to always be endless.
This can be a lot for anyone on any given day but adding MS fatigue, pain, spasticity, brain fog, and other symptoms to the mix while also trying to keep things going and organized can be... well, it can be a lot.
This forum is for those in the community that have MS and are parents. How are you guys doing? Please feel free to vent or just show some love and support.
Good question
. I'm feeling fortunate to only have one, and that he's in the second last year of high school. My lad's at the stage where much school engagement isn't really necessary for me. Plus when it comes to homework (TONS 😪, poor kid) he's well aware that my confuzzled artsy fartsy, English and Social studies brain is of NO use with Calculus, Physics and Chemistry 🤪. Hubby's been a gem re making breakfasts & most dinners (he works from home). Our son walks to school with a couple good friends (yaay). I just make sure dishes get cleaned up, teen-man has clean clothes, and that he gets a decent lunch to take to school. I'm likely the very fortunate exception to many MS parents' experiences. Fingers crossed that others who have more weight on their shoulders get through ok. 😊 
Hi! I’m a homeschooling mom of seven, ages are 2 to 14. When I was diagnosed with ms 3 months ago, someone asked if I would now put my kids in school. I know she didn’t mean to be hurtful but this bothered me. I’m not ready to ditch all my plans and dreams now that I have this diagnosis. yes, I have a heavier load maybe than most but I truly feel God is working some great good out of this evil of ms. I just have to cooperate with this new plan and ask for the grace I need to do what He asks of me. Somehow it’s all part of a bigger plan. I understand things may get real bad at some point and then I’ll have to re-evaluate but for now, I’m going to take each day as it comes. Some days I may be unable to see (I had optic neuritis) or have some new symptom, and those days will look different than what I want or planned but they will be the day God is sending me and my family. I’m hoping I can really take each day as it comes.
Hi
. Clearly that person has a small family. I would imagine that sending all seven kids to public school might even be more stressful that homeschooling. I have four kids and that has been hard enough -- getting all up them up on time, showered, dressed, fed and out the door with homework, lunches, water bottles, permission slips, gym clothes, sports uniforms (on game days)-- all that stuff. Homeschooling is hard work and you need to have a strict schedule, but you also have more control. You can adjust schedules when necessary. You can make a family lunch instead of individual bagged lunches. Sick children don't have to fall behind schedule because the teacher doesn't have time to catch them up. There are lots of advantages in terms of reducing your stress. I am glad you have the confidence to do what's best for your family and for your MS. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
You are 100% right! It actually exhausts me more to think about getting all 7 kids to school and back every day. Thanks for your understanding and kind words.
