Besides needing breaks, you will need helping hands at times. Doctors and therapy appointments, and the extra physical care and supervision your child needs, can add up to a very busy schedule. Parenting in general is a busy calling. Add on the extra demands of raising a child with special needs and time may seem to vanish. Look for those with helping hands to make it work. People who are close to you want to help; they may need a little guidance to know how.

Help with Your Child

Children do not grow up in isolation. As the parent of a child with a special need, you may have to make sure that she has opportunities to spend time with others.

Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends are often anxious to be involved. Sometimes they might help by practicing therapy skills. Sometimes they might offer supervision or care while you tend to other responsibilities.

Help with Your Other Children

If you have other children, you can attest to the fact that they have continuing needs despite the special needs of their sibling. Be open to others helping with carpools. The neighborhood teen who loves to play ball can be a great practice coach. The retired neighbor may not mind reading and rereading books with your preschooler.

Household Help

This is a team effort. Talk with your spouse and children about the housework. Extra child responsibilities can mean you have less time for housecleaning, but the whole family does live there — right? Set up a plan for everyone to pitch in. If it is possible, consider paid help to come in periodically to help you cover all of the bases.

Errands

Make sure all of your errands are really necessary. For the must-go-to places, be willing to say yes when someone offers to go for you. Who cares if it is not the kind of bread you buy. Bread only lasts for a few days!

If you are running the errands, plan a route so that you can get the most done at one time. Be aware of those helping hands at pharmacy drive-throughs and errands that can be done online from home.