When You Have Ulcerative Colitis, Raising Teens Can Be a Challenge!

I've written an article on raising younger children when you have ulcerative colitis. It is a major challenge. Teenagers are easier because they more often take care of themselves and it is easier to explain things to them

When I have had flares when the children were "older", they wouldn't get as upset because they understood what was going on, and, it usually didn't impact them; they could still have a life.

However, having ulcerative colitis and teenagers isn't without its problems. The difference with raising young children and older children is that with younger children you are trying to keep the household steady and balanced; with the teenager the major focus is that they stay balanced.

There are two basic problems you have when you have ulcerative colitis and teenagers. First, while you don't have to worry as much about balancing home, illness and work, you do have to worry about being in good enough physical shape to keep a teen in line.

The best teenagers go through rebellious stages and it takes energy to do battle and make sure they don't make bad decisions. So, I would have to say that with a teenager's changes; social, hormonal and internal your first major challenge is to be in good enough physical shape to "do your regular parental role". Otherwise you will be beaten down.

Now if you have a very severe case of ulcerative colitis or any inflammatory bowel disease I would say this, and, you probably find it distasteful but I suggest you make sure and know the number of an emergency response unit or junior intervention program. Frankly, if there is nothing like that in your area, get the non-emergency number of the police. A teenager can lose control and if you are sick you will be unable to intervene. Instead of regretting something that occurs, don't be afraid to enlist the aid of a professional to assist you in enforcing your rules. Your child will thank you at some point.

The second problem I ran into actually shocked me a little. Teenagers are extremely self-conscious about image. Their image, the image of their parents, their house, virtually everything is always on their mind and affects how they feel in front of their peers. In my case I was an older father anyway, but the ulcerative colitis illness prevented me from getting out and throwing the football with other dads and their sons at say a school get-together.

At first I didn't understand my son's apparent lack of desire in keeping our relationship strong and when I did understand why I was very hurt (parents are real people too!)

After many weeks I decided to not do anything. Ultimately, your child will come to see you for who you are under the illness (thankfully mine did!) but, I think I would be less than honest if I didn't say to prepare for some sad feelings for a little time.

When you have ulcerative colitis and you're raising a teenager, your job will be to keep your health mentally and physically strong to make sure that your teen doesn't take advantage of the ulcerative colitis in ignorance of what is best for them.

With young children the key word is "reassurance"; with teens the key word is "perseverance". In both cases the job can be done!