Who does the special needs "case management" at your house?
Amy is looking for advice on how to juggle conflicting schedules, work arrangements and special needs parenting.
Photo by Ava Lowery via Flickr
Recently I spoke with a friend who has two kids with special needs. As well as working full-time, she manages her kids’ school meetings, therapy appointments, advocacy phone calls, paperwork and life-skills teaching. Even though her hubby’s involved, these kinds of “case management” tasks fall to her. Plus, she’s the chief household cook and laundress — and she’s getting fried.
In our case, Jack is very involved in Tal’s life. He’s even been known to jump into the pool as Talia's exercise partner at a Y aquafit class. Because of Jack’s work schedule, it’s always been tricky for him to attend meetings and therapy appointments. Even though he’s a hands-on dad, the planning, advocacy, therapies and paperwork of special needs parenting often fall to me — especially since I work from home. The more I talk to "special needs moms," the more I hear about similar arrangements. And moms are getting awfully tired.
Your turn: Who handles most of the “special needs case management” tasks in your house? Any advice for juggling it all and staying organized?
Photo by Ava Lowery via Flickr
Kate Middleton: Pretty in pink (photos!)
Everyday Baby - June 3, 2013
Body image survival guide for parents
Prenatal anxiety: Tips and treatment 
Father's Day
Coral says ....
I take care of things, which makes sense because I'm unable to work due to anxiety and physical issues. It is a problem, though, because my husband cannot answer most of the questions about what's going on for our kids, nor does he know where to find the information so he can answer them.
I'm going to add an important item to my to-do list, then: to encourage him to get an Evernote account so I can share my own notes about what's happening, and then make sure the notes are accurate and up-to-date. Should something happen to me, and it's unwise to ever presume any of us are immortal, someone else will need this stuff.