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As parents, it seems we never stop worrying about our children. And when they finally reach adolescence, the risks seem endless. Although our instinct is to protect them and anticipate any harm that might come their way, it becomes increasingly difficult when our children are living with epilepsy. As teens, their job is to break away from us and become their own persons. And ours is to let go and watch from a distance. Because we can't be with them 24–7, this letting go process can be a time of stress and constant worry. Before we know it, we are spending all of our time concerned about this one special person. And our other relationships are beginning to suffer. Before too long, we feel isolated and so do the people who love us. To feel reconnected and regain the strength it takes to let go, it's important to reach out to others. On this page:
Reach Out to Your SpouseWE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS when we become parents. Once a romantic couple, our relationship becomes redefined and we become co–parents. Add to that the challenges and fears of raising a child with epilepsy, as well as the different ways we react to stress and the divide increases. To bridge the gap, we must make a continued effort to reach out to our partners.
Reach Out to Your ChildrenA TEEN' S EPILEPSY AFFECTS THE WHOLE FAMILY. If your teen has brothers or sisters, chances are they worry about their sibling as well. And when they are not worried, they may be feeling a bit resentful that they aren't getting as much attention. Complex as these emotions are, they can all be eased by openness, love, and attention.
Reach Out to Other ParentsTHERE ARE MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION parents in the United States going through a similar experience—they have a teen living with epilepsy. Like you, these parents and their families have faced challenges along the way, and most are happy to share their stories. Through support groups, you can meet parents and learn about the strategies and tips that have worked for them. Contact the Epilepsy Foundation* to find a support group in your area. Or ask them about organizing one of your own.
Reach Out to YourselfAS PARENTS, OUR OWN NEEDS ALWAYS seem to come last. But we can't keep giving if we don't have the time to replenish ourselves. Giving all that we can to all of our loved ones means taking care of number one first. Here are some basic tips:
One or more documents on this Web page is available in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents. * Links to non-Federal organizations are
provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an
endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none
should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual
organization Web pages found at this link. Date last
modified: 03/15/2006 |
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