The other parents in our son's class have been amazing since his IBD diagnosis, but I find myself avoiding playdates and birthday parties because I'm exhausted by having to explain his dietary restrictions and bathroom needs over and over. My husband thinks I'm isolating our family, and maybe I am, but I also don't know how to stay connected without feeling like I'm constantly managing other people's discomfort with his condition.
More people experience this than they realize.
The emotional labor of educating and reassuring other families is creating isolation that conflicts with the desire for community.
“Where Are You with Parenting a child with chronic illness?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.