You love your kids and do everything you can to ensure they have the best life possible, but
being a parent of a special needs child can be exhausting. Parental Fatigue Syndrome refers
to excessive tiredness experienced by parents of children with special needs that interferes
with daily activities and quality of life. Read on to see if you are suffering from parenting fatigue syndrome. And if your own fatigue has reached unhealthy levels, then learn to create your own self-care treatment plan.

Symptoms and Consequences

It’s essential to understand what you can do about your parental fatigue syndrome and how you can begin to regain control over your life. Exhaustion affects everyone differently. But there are
some common signs of chronic fatigue disorder: sleeping for long periods, feeling like
you’re never fully recharged, and being less productive. Parents who experience these
feelings should consider visiting a doctor to determine if they have a fatigue disorder.

Create Self-Care Treatment Plan

First, identify the responsibilities related to your child that cause physical or emotional
stress, such as changing diapers or preparing meals. Then identify three activities that give
you energy or help you feel relaxed: reading a book, going for a walk around your
neighborhood, or watching TV, for instance. These are your self-care prescriptions —
things to help alleviate your parental fatigue symptoms so you can be there when your
children need you most.

As you pursue your new treatment plan, be mindful of a few unintended consequences that
can result from self-care. For instance, some people put so much faith in their self-care
routine that they fail to seek needed medical care for actual anxiety or depression. Others
go overboard with self-care and burden their support networks. Like everything else in life,
it’s all about balance.

Practice Light Exercise

Light exercise, like easy walking or dancing, can do wonders for helping parents feel more
energetic throughout the day. Try mixing in some gentle movement after breakfast and
before dinner to help relieve fatigue. For starters, aim for five-minute walks three times a
day, and set a timer to remind you to take a walk. Over time, gradually extend your
workout.

Creating an Emergency Kit for Low-Energy Days

Creating an emergency kit for days when you feel low on energy will help make these days
more manageable. The kit can help you feel calm or more energetic. To create your kit, put
together some easy-to-prepare items: 
• A thermos. For hot herbal tea with lemon slices.
• Protein bars. To boost energy.
• Whole-grain snacks. Such as pretzels or wheat crackers.
• Supplements. To help boost energy and relaxation.

Pursuing Personal Goals

A new interest or hobby can do wonders for your well-being. You may keep your new hobby just for your pleasure or to take it seriously. If you plan to start a business, you should first decide whether to form a limited liability company. The advantages are many, including liability protection, tax advantages, less paperwork, and flexibility. If you’re wondering, different states have different rules when forming a company so check the requirements before getting started – or better yet, enlist an online formation service to take care of it for you!

Be Your Best

If you’re suffering from severe parental fatigue and struggling to meet your own needs, it might be
time to create a treatment plan and consult a doctor. You need to be at your best for
yourself and your family.

About the Author:

Daniel Sherwin is a single dad raising two children. At DadSolo.com, he aims to provide other single dads with information and resources to help them better equip themselves on the journey that is parenthood.