Parenting With Arthritis

When you have arthritis, you may not be able to handle a one-on-one game of basketball, but spending leisure time with your children is an important way to bond. As a parent with arthritis, adapt activities to your needs: play a board game, take a walk or go to the movies with your child.

“Hiding your illness creates a sense of shame,” says Mark Lumley, PhD, a clinical psychologist and professor of health psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. “What’s more important is to show how you cope with it by reaching out for support and medicating wisely.” This way, kids learn about dealing with illness in a positive way.

Good parenting has nothing to do with physical health. “You can still be a heck of a good parent even if you’re struggling with pain,” Lumley says. “Good parents communicate, counsel, teach and discipline their children.”

When you have arthritis, attitude is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy relationship with your children. “If you become defeated by arthritis, your children will feel defeated as well,” says Annmarie Cano, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Wayne State University.