Studies show that kids who have a parent with MS tend to adapt and do well in life, so if you have concerns about what sort of effect MS is going to have in the life of your children, you can breathe a bit easier knowing that. In fact, kids who deal with health issues in their family tend to be more compassionate and sensitive toward others.

Being a parent with MS has extra challenges, whether it's learning how to more effectively manage your time, restructuring family activities, or answering difficult questions — inevitably you'll deal with some tough issues. But families that tackle difficult times grow closer to one another and tend to learn very quickly what's most important in life.

Explaining Your Symptoms

Children don't have a hard time understanding visible symptoms such as weakness or difficulty walking, but the invisible ones may be harder to explain. If you decide to skip out on a family outing because of fatigue, for example, it may be difficult for your child to understand the reason behind it because it's something he can't see. To prevent misinterpretation of your actions, it's important to educate your kids about the reality of MS early on. You don't want a temporary lack of involvement to send the wrong message.

Redefining Parenthood

So many of the roles we play as parents are culturally determined: Dad plays ball in the yard; Mom does the school shopping and folds the clothes. Showing your love through physical endeavors is something you may not have given any thought to. Sometimes having MS causes people to redefine their roles as parents and what it means to be a parent, especially when there are activities they can no longer participate in. One father explained how he reinvented the game of football with his sons: When his symptoms progressed and made mobility difficult, he was the quarterback on the field and remained stationary, tossing the ball to his sons. He found a creative way to enjoy the things they used to do — with some modification. Not being able to perform some of the physical activities with their children can also lead people with MS to harbor feelings of isolation and sadness, so it's important to get the toolbox out and find other ways to enjoy your time together. Find a used tandem bike or buy a motorized scooter to enjoy evening walks with your family. The point is to adapt by being creative.

Finding Help

Even in the best of situations, parenting can be difficult. Don't be afraid to seek out the help of support groups, mental health professionals, or family members.

If you're having problems with fatigue, call on a family member or friend to take your son to the ball game. Families that have a strong support network tend to manage better, so rally the troops when you need help. You might find that your friends and family are happy to find a way they can be there for you.

It's Not All about MS

It's tempting to blame everything that happens on MS, but keep in mind that teenagers are ornery, young children can be difficult, and all families cope with their share of hard times. You might want to check on your family members' emotional health from time to time and not automatically assume that any unusual behavior or problems that arise are caused by having MS. Kids go through all kinds of hardships with friends, school, and self-esteem on their way through life. Some parents with MS feel badly that their children have to cope with an illness in the home, but remember: Good parenting is imperative for all children, and good old-fashioned discipline and teaching responsibility are important. There are some great parenting books on the market; a good family therapist can help you deal with parenting issues as well.