A question from a worried mom

rosesixtyfive · Jan 7, 2010

Okay, I posted the same question in the families section, but I wanted to hear from people who have lived with CF their whole lives. Can I work full-time and be a good mother to my child with CF? Please don't be too harsh. I do have to work for very practical reasons. We don't live extravagantly, and we're not poor either, but there would be a $1,000 deficit in our budget without my income. Sam also does not have to do daycare. We have an in-home caregiver who is like a member of the family, but I will be handling all of the treatments myself at about 5:00 in the morning, and at night. I know that each family is different, but what worked in your homes? What kept you strong and alive and enjoying most of the days of your childhood? I'll do anything I can for my child.
rosesixtyfive, mother of Sam (ddf508, 4 months) and Robin (no CF, 4 years old)

rosesixtyfive · Jan 7, 2010

Okay, I posted the same question in the families section, but I wanted to hear from people who have lived with CF their whole lives. Can I work full-time and be a good mother to my child with CF? Please don't be too harsh. I do have to work for very practical reasons. We don't live extravagantly, and we're not poor either, but there would be a $1,000 deficit in our budget without my income. Sam also does not have to do daycare. We have an in-home caregiver who is like a member of the family, but I will be handling all of the treatments myself at about 5:00 in the morning, and at night. I know that each family is different, but what worked in your homes? What kept you strong and alive and enjoying most of the days of your childhood? I'll do anything I can for my child.
rosesixtyfive, mother of Sam (ddf508, 4 months) and Robin (no CF, 4 years old)

rosesixtyfive · Jan 7, 2010

Okay, I posted the same question in the families section, but I wanted to hear from people who have lived with CF their whole lives. Can I work full-time and be a good mother to my child with CF? Please don't be too harsh. I do have to work for very practical reasons. We don't live extravagantly, and we're not poor either, but there would be a $1,000 deficit in our budget without my income. Sam also does not have to do daycare. We have an in-home caregiver who is like a member of the family, but I will be handling all of the treatments myself at about 5:00 in the morning, and at night. I know that each family is different, but what worked in your homes? What kept you strong and alive and enjoying most of the days of your childhood? I'll do anything I can for my child.
rosesixtyfive, mother of Sam (ddf508, 4 months) and Robin (no CF, 4 years old)

rosesixtyfive · Jan 7, 2010

Okay, I posted the same question in the families section, but I wanted to hear from people who have lived with CF their whole lives. Can I work full-time and be a good mother to my child with CF? Please don't be too harsh. I do have to work for very practical reasons. We don't live extravagantly, and we're not poor either, but there would be a $1,000 deficit in our budget without my income. Sam also does not have to do daycare. We have an in-home caregiver who is like a member of the family, but I will be handling all of the treatments myself at about 5:00 in the morning, and at night. I know that each family is different, but what worked in your homes? What kept you strong and alive and enjoying most of the days of your childhood? I'll do anything I can for my child.
rosesixtyfive, mother of Sam (ddf508, 4 months) and Robin (no CF, 4 years old)

rosesixtyfive · Jan 7, 2010

Okay, I posted the same question in the families section, but I wanted to hear from people who have lived with CF their whole lives. Can I work full-time and be a good mother to my child with CF? Please don't be too harsh. I do have to work for very practical reasons. We don't live extravagantly, and we're not poor either, but there would be a $1,000 deficit in our budget without my income. Sam also does not have to do daycare. We have an in-home caregiver who is like a member of the family, but I will be handling all of the treatments myself at about 5:00 in the morning, and at night. I know that each family is different, but what worked in your homes? What kept you strong and alive and enjoying most of the days of your childhood? I'll do anything I can for my child.
 rosesixtyfive, mother of Sam (ddf508, 4 months) and Robin (no CF, 4 years old)

mousesmom · Jan 7, 2010

When M was first diagnosed & the local CF moms heard that I was going to continue working I was given many lectures & told that my child would suffer as a result, so in the beginning I felt really guilty. However we needed the additional income & I was divorced a few years later so I had no choice in the end.
I always made sure that my employer uderstood that I would need to take time off at times & worked the time back when this happened. M went to regular schools & was treated as any normal child would be which I think helped built her resistance.
AS long as you have a good support system & all his treatments are done regularly & clinic/Dr's appointments are not skipped there is no reason why you souldn't work. CF is a costly illness and extra income could sometimes mean better treatments. Of course if it's not working for you, you could always stop working. Good luck with your little one.

mousesmom · Jan 7, 2010

When M was first diagnosed & the local CF moms heard that I was going to continue working I was given many lectures & told that my child would suffer as a result, so in the beginning I felt really guilty. However we needed the additional income & I was divorced a few years later so I had no choice in the end.
I always made sure that my employer uderstood that I would need to take time off at times & worked the time back when this happened. M went to regular schools & was treated as any normal child would be which I think helped built her resistance.
AS long as you have a good support system & all his treatments are done regularly & clinic/Dr's appointments are not skipped there is no reason why you souldn't work. CF is a costly illness and extra income could sometimes mean better treatments. Of course if it's not working for you, you could always stop working. Good luck with your little one.

mousesmom · Jan 7, 2010

When M was first diagnosed & the local CF moms heard that I was going to continue working I was given many lectures & told that my child would suffer as a result, so in the beginning I felt really guilty. However we needed the additional income & I was divorced a few years later so I had no choice in the end.
I always made sure that my employer uderstood that I would need to take time off at times & worked the time back when this happened. M went to regular schools & was treated as any normal child would be which I think helped built her resistance.
AS long as you have a good support system & all his treatments are done regularly & clinic/Dr's appointments are not skipped there is no reason why you souldn't work. CF is a costly illness and extra income could sometimes mean better treatments. Of course if it's not working for you, you could always stop working. Good luck with your little one.

mousesmom · Jan 7, 2010

When M was first diagnosed & the local CF moms heard that I was going to continue working I was given many lectures & told that my child would suffer as a result, so in the beginning I felt really guilty. However we needed the additional income & I was divorced a few years later so I had no choice in the end.
I always made sure that my employer uderstood that I would need to take time off at times & worked the time back when this happened. M went to regular schools & was treated as any normal child would be which I think helped built her resistance.
AS long as you have a good support system & all his treatments are done regularly & clinic/Dr's appointments are not skipped there is no reason why you souldn't work. CF is a costly illness and extra income could sometimes mean better treatments. Of course if it's not working for you, you could always stop working. Good luck with your little one.

mousesmom · Jan 7, 2010

When M was first diagnosed & the local CF moms heard that I was going to continue working I was given many lectures & told that my child would suffer as a result, so in the beginning I felt really guilty. However we needed the additional income & I was divorced a few years later so I had no choice in the end.
 I always made sure that my employer uderstood that I would need to take time off at times & worked the time back when this happened. M went to regular schools & was treated as any normal child would be which I think helped built her resistance.
 AS long as you have a good support system & all his treatments are done regularly & clinic/Dr's appointments are not skipped there is no reason why you souldn't work. CF is a costly illness and extra income could sometimes mean better treatments. Of course if it's not working for you, you could always stop working. Good luck with your little one.

lilywing · Jan 7, 2010

Since I've known her, my mom has worked full-time. She IS the best mom in the world. So, can you work full-time and be a good mother to your child with CF? Yup.

When I was diagnosed in 1980 (at the age of 2.5), my parents were in dire financial straits, following the stockmarket crash, bankruptcy, returning to university, etc. They HAD to work. We live in Canada, where medical costs are not such a worry (for children, at least). I cannot imagine the financial burden/stress of CF in the US. For so many families, two incomes are a necessity, not a luxury.

As a child, I wished my mom could stay home like many other mothers did. But not because of my CF!

Ideally, you want to be flexible and adaptable. Easier said than done, I know. Just from reading your post, I think you're going to be an amazing mom, either way!

Take care

lilywing · Jan 7, 2010

Since I've known her, my mom has worked full-time. She IS the best mom in the world. So, can you work full-time and be a good mother to your child with CF? Yup.

When I was diagnosed in 1980 (at the age of 2.5), my parents were in dire financial straits, following the stockmarket crash, bankruptcy, returning to university, etc. They HAD to work. We live in Canada, where medical costs are not such a worry (for children, at least). I cannot imagine the financial burden/stress of CF in the US. For so many families, two incomes are a necessity, not a luxury.

As a child, I wished my mom could stay home like many other mothers did. But not because of my CF!

Ideally, you want to be flexible and adaptable. Easier said than done, I know. Just from reading your post, I think you're going to be an amazing mom, either way!

Take care

lilywing · Jan 7, 2010

Since I've known her, my mom has worked full-time. She IS the best mom in the world. So, can you work full-time and be a good mother to your child with CF? Yup.

When I was diagnosed in 1980 (at the age of 2.5), my parents were in dire financial straits, following the stockmarket crash, bankruptcy, returning to university, etc. They HAD to work. We live in Canada, where medical costs are not such a worry (for children, at least). I cannot imagine the financial burden/stress of CF in the US. For so many families, two incomes are a necessity, not a luxury.

As a child, I wished my mom could stay home like many other mothers did. But not because of my CF!

Ideally, you want to be flexible and adaptable. Easier said than done, I know. Just from reading your post, I think you're going to be an amazing mom, either way!

Take care

lilywing · Jan 7, 2010

Since I've known her, my mom has worked full-time. She IS the best mom in the world. So, can you work full-time and be a good mother to your child with CF? Yup.

When I was diagnosed in 1980 (at the age of 2.5), my parents were in dire financial straits, following the stockmarket crash, bankruptcy, returning to university, etc. They HAD to work. We live in Canada, where medical costs are not such a worry (for children, at least). I cannot imagine the financial burden/stress of CF in the US. For so many families, two incomes are a necessity, not a luxury.

As a child, I wished my mom could stay home like many other mothers did. But not because of my CF!

Ideally, you want to be flexible and adaptable. Easier said than done, I know. Just from reading your post, I think you're going to be an amazing mom, either way!

Take care

lilywing · Jan 7, 2010

Since I've known her, my mom has worked full-time. She IS the best mom in the world. So, can you work full-time and be a good mother to your child with CF? Yup.
 
 When I was diagnosed in 1980 (at the age of 2.5), my parents were in dire financial straits, following the stockmarket crash, bankruptcy, returning to university, etc. They HAD to work. We live in Canada, where medical costs are not such a worry (for children, at least). I cannot imagine the financial burden/stress of CF in the US. For so many families, two incomes are a necessity, not a luxury.
 
 As a child, I wished my mom could stay home like many other mothers did. But not because of my CF!
 
 Ideally, you want to be flexible and adaptable. Easier said than done, I know. Just from reading your post, I think you're going to be an amazing mom, either way!
 
 Take care

static · Jan 7, 2010

I agree with the above posters.

With that said, only you can really know what you can manage. My mom was/is a special education teacher for the school district so her job gave her plenty of benefits to take care of her family (sick days, medical coverage, exc.)
If I got sick she would either use a sick day or take me to the doctors after work, but for the most part I was a healthy despite having CF as a kid.

Alot of my good health as a kid came from my mom's desire to keep me as active as possible; always signing me up for summer, fall, and winter sports (even if I didn't particially like the sport). She also encouraged me to try to be responsible for my own treatments at a young age, taking a little more burden off her (although she would always find a way to make sure I did it).

Stay strong, even if your kid fights you a little bit along the way, and you should do just fine.

static · Jan 7, 2010

I agree with the above posters.

With that said, only you can really know what you can manage. My mom was/is a special education teacher for the school district so her job gave her plenty of benefits to take care of her family (sick days, medical coverage, exc.)
If I got sick she would either use a sick day or take me to the doctors after work, but for the most part I was a healthy despite having CF as a kid.

Alot of my good health as a kid came from my mom's desire to keep me as active as possible; always signing me up for summer, fall, and winter sports (even if I didn't particially like the sport). She also encouraged me to try to be responsible for my own treatments at a young age, taking a little more burden off her (although she would always find a way to make sure I did it).

Stay strong, even if your kid fights you a little bit along the way, and you should do just fine.

static · Jan 7, 2010

I agree with the above posters.

With that said, only you can really know what you can manage. My mom was/is a special education teacher for the school district so her job gave her plenty of benefits to take care of her family (sick days, medical coverage, exc.)
If I got sick she would either use a sick day or take me to the doctors after work, but for the most part I was a healthy despite having CF as a kid.

Alot of my good health as a kid came from my mom's desire to keep me as active as possible; always signing me up for summer, fall, and winter sports (even if I didn't particially like the sport). She also encouraged me to try to be responsible for my own treatments at a young age, taking a little more burden off her (although she would always find a way to make sure I did it).

Stay strong, even if your kid fights you a little bit along the way, and you should do just fine.

static · Jan 7, 2010

I agree with the above posters.

With that said, only you can really know what you can manage. My mom was/is a special education teacher for the school district so her job gave her plenty of benefits to take care of her family (sick days, medical coverage, exc.)
If I got sick she would either use a sick day or take me to the doctors after work, but for the most part I was a healthy despite having CF as a kid.

Alot of my good health as a kid came from my mom's desire to keep me as active as possible; always signing me up for summer, fall, and winter sports (even if I didn't particially like the sport). She also encouraged me to try to be responsible for my own treatments at a young age, taking a little more burden off her (although she would always find a way to make sure I did it).

Stay strong, even if your kid fights you a little bit along the way, and you should do just fine.

static · Jan 7, 2010

I agree with the above posters.
 
 With that said, only you can really know what you can manage. My mom was/is a special education teacher for the school district so her job gave her plenty of benefits to take care of her family (sick days, medical coverage, exc.)
 If I got sick she would either use a sick day or take me to the doctors after work, but for the most part I was a healthy despite having CF as a kid.
 
 Alot of my good health as a kid came from my mom's desire to keep me as active as possible; always signing me up for summer, fall, and winter sports (even if I didn't particially like the sport). She also encouraged me to try to be responsible for my own treatments at a young age, taking a little more burden off her (although she would always find a way to make sure I did it).
 
 Stay strong, even if your kid fights you a little bit along the way, and you should do just fine.

A question from a worried mom

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member