182 support for parents and caregivers
Managing the stress of caregiving
Being a parent of any child is
hard work. And if your child
cannot hear well or is deaf,
then there is even more
caring for
deaf child
work. For example, families
must teach deaf children
things that other children
caring for
the sick
learn on their own, from
hearing people talk.
It can be difficult to find
getting
water, fuel,
and food
time and energy for this
extra work. This page and the next
one have some suggestions from
families about different ways that
have helped them manage this stress.
teaching
deaf child
meeting
husband’s
needs
too little
money
Caring for caregivers
Parents and other caregivers will be
able to look after children better if they
also have some time to relax. Simple
things — like going to the market,
visiting friends or relatives, talking
with friends, having a massage, or
being part of a community group
— can all be helpful.
Remember, you can
help your children
more when you
feel well.
Remember to care for
each other. Being a
parent is hard work.
Sometimes it is helpful for a group of parents to
get together to talk with each other about any
difficulties they may be having. If some have
difficulty saying things to others in a group,
perhaps they can make up songs, poems, or
stories about their situation. Drawing and
painting pictures can also help some people
express their thoughts and feelings without
using words.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)