Being open about your condition with your child is one of the first steps of parenting with arthritis.

Being a parent is a full-time job in itself, and for people trying to balance managing their children's lives along with symptoms of arthritis, parenting may prove to be a tiring process. Knowing how to effectively alleviate painful traits associated with arthritis can help smooth other difficulties that arise naturally with childrearing. From battling fatigue to explaining your condition to your child, here are a few tips when it comes to parenting with arthritis:

Saying no

“No” is a word that your kids may not like hearing, but when it comes to the constant demands of being a parent, it's important to tell yourself no once in a while as well. Ignoring your physical limitations is a sure-fire way to increase the likelihood of an arthritis flare-up. So if you're starting to feel fatigued after a long day of driving the kids around, cooking dinner and cleaning up the house, it's probably best to tone it down a notch.

Staying involved

While patients with arthritis might be wary about playing a game of catch or running around the playground, that doesn't mean there needs to be a sacrifice in recreational participation. Instead, try to encourage more cognitive-based activities, such as learning how to play chess or spending some arts-and-crafts time together. If your child is active in sports and physical activities, try to attend these events as much as possible. Your support and presence may mean more than your actual involvement.

Explaining arthritis

Rather than hiding your condition from your child, it's important to try and be upfront about arthritis. Being confident, as well as informative about what your symptoms entail will help your kid understand why you might be hesitant or shy away from physical activity. Openness and honesty will prove to your child that arthritis is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's also a good way to explain how maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is essentially the best way to potentially prevent arthritis in their lives.

Keeping upbeat

If your arthritis is repeatedly bringing down your spirits, it's almost inevitable that your children may start to take notice. Staying positive despite any downsides you may experience with your condition is easier said than done, but it's crucial to remember that maintaining an enthusiastic and optimistic attitude will not only keep your family inspired, but brighten your day as well.

Pace and prioritize

If you're constantly coming home from a day of work and heading immediately to the couch for sanctuary, you're slowly accumulating time that isn't being spent with your kids. Instead of exerting all your energy at the workplace, try to find a sufficient way to spread out your priorities so you can eliminate fatigue that will cross over from your career to your home life. Remember, in the end it's your kids that you should be spending the most energy on.

To learn more about relationships and arthritis:

Talking about Arthritis: Encourage Family to Share Their Feelings
Talking about Arthritis: Breaking out of Common Family Dramas
Talking about Arthritis: Tips for Dealing with Unsupportive Family