Q: How do you get it all done, with all those doctors appointments?
A: Usually when I get asked this question it is specific to school work. I don’t think anyone is crazy enough to think I get other stuff done. HAHA
It is true that everyone has to deal with doctors appointments. However for us, and many other special needs families they seem in excess. The easiest way for me to answer this is to give you a bit of history. History that has led us to where we are now.
Let me start by giving you our list of Doctors and Specialist.
- Pediatrician – x4 kids
- Dentist – x 3 kids
- Pediatric Neurologist – x 1 child
- Pediatric Neurosurgeon – x 1 child
- Psychologist – x 2 kids
- Psychiatrist – x 2 kids
- Therapist – x 2 kids
- Occupational Therapist – x 1 child
- Physical Therapist – x 1 child
- Pediatric Ophthalmologist – x 3 kids
- Urologist – x 1 child
- Allergist – x 1 child
- Pulmonologist – x 1 child
- Speech Therapist – x 1 child
- ENT – x 1 child
- Dermatologist – x 1 child
- ER Staff (LOL)- x 4 kids
- OBGYN – x any unborn children
Not to mention appointments for my husband and myself, and all the other non-Doctors appointments we had/have. At one point last year there was 3 months where we had no less than 3 appointments a week, and often more. Things were stressful, and hard. Were it not for an incredibly supportive, and helpful family, I don’t know how we would have done it. We have always managed to get school done, but it has not always been easy. Even now when I look back to years past I ask myself the same question as everyone else. But there is not simple answer.
This year we have managed to significantly reduce our number of appointments, and I will talk more about that in a bit, but first I want to give you some ideas of things I have found helpful to have on hand on Doctor/Appointment days.
- A sitter for any child unrelated to the appointment when able helps a lot. I found that Grandparents often enjoy getting to spend time with just one child, or only a few children (if you have a lot) when they can. It gives them a special chance to get to know that child. I also found that Grandparents, Aunts, and Sitters, are often willing to help your child complete simple school assignments, and usually enjoy it. We however are often unable to make a sitter happen so with us they come.
- Mother’s Day Out, or Public Pre-school programs. Last year we were fortunate to have found a wonderful Mother’s Day Out program for my then four year old son. (an answer to prayers, and a God led decision) I found that making appointments for my daughter, or my youngest boys while Christopher was at MDO, was a great solution to the issue of stressing him out with multiple doctors appointments. Often times public preschool has a lot to offer your child depending on the child's disability. If your child needs speech, OT, ABA, or PT they can often receive those services while attending school. That alone could cut out the amount of appointments needed. (I will address the subject of keeping them home and not sending them in a later post)
- Portable Educational Activities- There have always been educational things I bring with us to appointment. I have found many of these things helpful for entertainment when I know there may be a long wait. Some of those things include; Leap Frog Leapster, iPhone/iPod Touch with educational apps. Sheet Work, Chapter Books, Themed or Unit study picture books, Flash Cards, File Folder Games, Listening Books, and Pre-school Packs.
- Taking Advantage of “ON” days- There are many days when one or both of the children have what I call “ON” days. These are days when they are focused, and calm. On these days we are able to complete several days worth of school work. I do take advantage of these days.
There are so many ideas I could give you about surviving doctors appointments. I tried to give you only the things we have found to work for us. I hope you find the information helpful, and if you would like additional ideas, please e-mail me, and ask.
I have stated many times that this is our best year of Homeschooling. That is LARGELY due to the reduced number of Appointments. As we began to approach this school year my Husband and I had several hard decisions to make. We had even considered putting the kids in public school. We ALL needed a break. So we prayed, and we prayed, and we prayed some more. I begged for a year of rest, and for Christ to guide my steps so that could happen. He did just that. The kids still have issues, however they are both at the best place health wise that they have ever been. This has helped us to cut out several appointments. We have also been blessed with several awesome Therapists who have worked with us to maximize the time spent in their office so that we can come less often. Hailey’s PT worked with us on things we could do at home to help Hailey. And through the help of Online resources, Books, Google university, and friends, we have been able to also do OT at home. (this is a child by child circumstance, and a decision that should only be made through prayer, and doctors approval.)
I am so thankful for this year of rest. When you deal with Disabilities there are no certainties from day to day. We could all wake up tomorrow, and BAM, something could happen that is beyond our control. I savor every moment, Day, Week, Month, and year where we can make strides that bring us closer as a family, and closer to making headway with the kids. Sometimes those strides come in the form of rest, sometimes they come in the form of MANY Doctor’s appointments.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:18
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