Donna Duwe
I am a mother of two--22 months apart. I have cfids and 3rd stage lymes decease. It is very difficult to learn to pace myself. I have to think about it consciously daily. I have taught my children since they were two (they are 6 and 8 now) to clean up after themselves. I seperate their toys into buckets. They can only play with one bucket at a time and when they want to play something else they have to clean up the first bucket before going to another. I do not have a spotless house anymore. I used to dust, mop, clean, vacuum, etc.... all on a day when I felt well because I thought I would never be able to do it unless I did it then. But after all that work, I was in bed for 3 days. I learned to do one thing a day. Dusting, cleaning the glass, vacuuming, etc.... each thing on a different day. I do one load of wash daily so it doesn't back up. My children each have jobs to help me. My husband helps also. Everyone cleans up their plate after they eat and put it in the sink. I do three or four dishes at a time several times during the evening until it is all done. Explain how you feel to the family; especially the children. My children are getting therapy in school to deal with me. I cannot spend hours at the playground with them. I cannot do what other parents do. I cannot even drive safely. I find someone to go to the playground with us when we go in case I need help. For weddings, I slow dance with my husband. Explain that you cannot dance all night and limit the number of dances you have to do at your child's wedding. Stop feeling bad about what you cannot do and learn to enjoy what you can do. When I have an evening engagement, I have to rest all day long so I can enjoy the night. Good luck with your illness and I hope you feel better soon.