We’ve all been through it but stress can be particularly tough to handle as a family sometimes, especially during this busy period. When you have too many things to manage and deal with at a time, childcare can cause you further stress if not managed effectively. Stress does serve a purpose, but it’s important for your well-being not to let it get the better of you. We’ve got some tips on how to deal with stress as a family and how we offer support for parents of a disabled child in the UK.
What is stress?
Stress is how our bodies react to the demands of day-to-day life, and we all experience it. Through stress, we are able to meet deadlines, move out of the way of danger, and get all of our daily tasks finished. It would be difficult to find the motivation to do things without a little stress sometimes.
Though it is important to not let stress get in the way of your well-being or your family’s well-being. Too much stress can affect your ability to deal with everyday life and your mental, physical and emotional health. It’s important to let stress do its job, but having a break from stress is essential.
At Seashell, we understand that trying to balance your work life, personal life and caring for your family can get too much at times. We provide support for parents of a child with learning disabilities and can help you get the assistance you need to benefit both you and your children.
Combating stress: Our Top Tips
Though the causes of stress can be vastly different, we have put together a guide to help you manage stress:
- Look after yourself – Making sure you do everything you can to give your body everything it needs, such as getting a good night’s sleep, eating well and staying hydrated, is great for giving your body what it needs to reduce stress.
- Just say ‘no’ – Don’t feel obligated to do or go to anything that you don’t have to. If a particular activity or scenario is likely to have a negative effect on your mental health, learn to say ‘no’ and only allow things you are comfortable with into your life.
- Focus on what you can control – Some things are out of your control, so it isn’t worth your energy or time to worry about these things. If you are stressed about something, focus on and plan what you can practically do to help this but try not to think about the things you can’t.
- Take a break from technology – At times, the amount of information you receive from being on the internet can be overwhelming. Take a social media detox or take a break from browsing on your phone to let your mind refresh.
- Tell someone – It’s no good to anyone if you keep all of your stress to yourself as people may not be aware of what you’re going through. A problem shared is a problem halved, so don’t be afraid to lean on a family member, a close friend, a colleague, or your doctor for support.
Support for parents with a child with learning disabilities
To provide support for parents with a child with learning disabilities, we offer several different methods to help combat stress. If your stress is derived from trying to manage your life while caring for a child with SEND, we have options to support you. Our respite care for children is ideal for allowing parents to have a break away from the stresses of everyday life, whilst giving your child a stimulating and comfortable environment for them to have a break from stress too.
Children can spend time at our special needs residential schools where they can experience a new environment and enjoy a variety of fun activities. You can rest assured that your child will be fully supported by our dedicated and highly experienced Royal School Manchester staff who always endeavour to provide outstanding care.
This option is a good choice for stressed child carers, providing support for parents of a disabled child in the UK who need a short break from the everyday demands of childcare. We offer respite for one or two nights per week or longer periods, depending on the specific care needs of the child.
Our Family Support Services team is there to provide quality support with any stresses or questions you may have concerning your child’s well-being. They keep in touch with families throughout their journey with Seashell, from the beginning right through to helping plan your child’s future.
Additionally, our family flat is an option to have parents and siblings on-site during their time at Seashell, accommodating up to five people. This is a great option to stay connected with and close to your loved one while at Seashell and strengthen family bonds. Check the availability to find the most suitable time for you.
Reduce stress with Seashell
Seashell is a charity dedicated to providing a creative, happy and secure environment for children and young people with complex needs and additional communication challenges from across the country. Throughout the year, we provide care for many individuals, including support for parents of a disabled child in the UK.
You can find all you need to know about our family support services on our website.
Don’t let stress get you down, contact us on 0161 610 0100, or email us at info@seashelltrust.org.uk to find your ideal solution and more information about our care.
