Firstly, let me say "WELCOME" to Nesting! I absolutely love it and find that it's useful in so many ways. I have a group here as well, "Secrets of a Suburban Soccer Mom" and am thinking about starting one or two more (more details on this later!). Check it out if you have time, there's one post on there in particular that I think you might find funny--it's all about "overactivityitis"! It's called "Does this Sound Familiar?" and in your case, I'll bet it does!

I think this may be a good tip for all moms, with and without disabilities. Schedule time for yourself to rest! It is easy to get consumed with all of the many activities that our children have. I have three kids myself, and I know my calendar fills up super fast with their after school activities, sports, playdates, birthday parties, etc. I write all of this in so I don't forget anything. But what I do forget sometimes is to rest and relax.

If an outing is not possible due to child care (or lack there of), I recommend finding a couple of other moms in your group with whom you can make a "babysitting bank". It's the classic "I'll watch your kid today if you watch mine on Thursday," scenario. It usually works well as long as everyone puts in roughly the same amount of hours they take out. Now the tricky part is not to use the kid-free time to do errands or laundry. Use it to REST! Just breathe, soak in the tub, take a walk, take a nap, anything that is relaxing.

If setting up a babysitting bank is not possible, and there is not other childcare available, I suggest filling a plastic bin of fun and quiet activities (easy crafts, coloring books, puzzles, games, videos) and tell the kids it's their special box for just the special times. And they are soooo big now that they can play these things by themselves or with eachother while mom (or dad) has a short rest. I'd put a cute animal shaped timer or battery operated alarm clock in the bin and help your kids set it for one hour (hour and a half if they're older!). When the timer goes off they can come and get you (from the sanctuary of your room). If you make a big deal out of how grown up they were to be able to play so nicely and how sweet it is for them to let you take a rest, then they will most likely be willing to do this again. Of course it doesn't always work, and I wouldn't do it with kids under 4--safety first! But when it does work--HEAVEN!

And, along the lines of the babysitting bank idea...how about carpooling? I think Nesting provides a great way to put it out there to your group that you are looking for carpools to certain activities and see if other moms may be going your way. You can always help them out as well. It's fun for the kids to ride together anyway!

I hope some of this may work for you. It sounds like you are a great mom and that in spite of having some very challenging circumstances you are doing an amazing job keeping all those balls in the air. Now go get your calendar out and pencil yourself in!

Susan Cross :)