Being a Mom with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Whether you have recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, or have been dealing with RA for many years now, you may wonder how having this condition can effect your parenting abilities. You can be a mom with rheumatoid arthritis, you don't have to try to be super mom, no mother should try to attempt that, but you can live your life with rheumatoid arthritis and enjoy time with your children.

How to Help Your Children Understand and Help You Deal with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mothers with rheumatoid arthritis have, over time, learned some advice on how to be a parent with rheumatoid arthritis. If your children are old enough to comprehend, explain to your kids what RA is and how it effects you personally. Your children may be able to empathize with you and may help you out more around the house.

Getting Help From Your Children

Even young kids have the ability to understand when mommy isn't feeling well. Reward your children for helping you with daily chores around the house. Give them small prizes, make a sticker chart, or some other similar way to show their achievements in helping their mom with rheumatoid arthritis. You shouldn't enslave your children, but any bit of help with household chores will better help you deal with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and at the same time you will be teaching your children responsibility. So, you get a two-fer!

Rheumatoid arthritis can be very painful and debilitating, being a mother with rheumatoid arthritis is going to be hard, but it doesn't have to be the hardest part of dealing with RA. If you will just have a talk with your kids about your condition, give them encouragement and rewards for helping you with simple tasks, and understand that living with RA is possible even if you are a mom with RA.

Caring for a New Baby While Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and are trying to care for a baby your situation may be more difficult than those who people with RA that do not have infant children to care for. Depending on the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis you may still be able to do all the same things a non-sufferer would be able to do. As always, limit your activities as much as reasonably possible. Don't overdo yourself.

If you have lived with rheumatoid arthritis for a long time, you know your limits. If you have only recently been diagnosed, you should do some research about parenting with rheumatoid arthritis. You can find all kinds of information on the web of how to take care of a baby while suffering from RA and there are various Parents with Rheumatoid Arthritis support groups online and possibly in your community.

Teach Family and Friends What Being Parent with Rheumatoid Arthritis Means

If you suffer from RA don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it, whether that help comes from your children, your spouse, family members, or friends. Your condition IS a painful one and if your family and friends don't understand what rheumatoid arthritis is, encourage them to read some literature about RA. I am sure once your family and friends understand what you are going through they will empathize with your situation and try to help as much as possible.

Getting Advice on How to Live with RA from other Parents with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Being a mom with RA is something to be proud of. If you can look at the positives more than the negatives you will be better prepared to deal with the pain. You are, by most people, looked upon as a strong woman to be able to raise children while suffering with rheumatoid arthritis.

Joining a support group, especially one that has members who are also parents, is almost as equally important as taking your rheumatoid arthritis medications. You will be amazed at the information and advice you will receive in these support groups and the tips and tricks you will learn will better equip you to be a better mom with rheumatoid arthritis.