I've been on both sides. My mom was diagnosed when I was young. We couldn't ride bikes or take long walks. I had to start cooking at 7 years old. I walked myself to school 2-5 miles away starting in 4th grade. I watched her go in and out of the hospital more times than I'd like to recall. I also cherished every chance we caught a break. I'd come in from school, lay on the bed with her and talk. We bonded over movies. When she hit a good stretch YEARS later, we would go out. I didn't care about how "sick" she was because that's all I really knew. I also knew the alternative, and I was grateful for having her be my constant in life.

My daughter was about the same age when I got sick. She grew up seeing my mother sick and me well, so it's still a bit of an adjustment for her (I'm pretty sure it took me time to accept it too). I try to look at the bright side - I can no longer work, but I can spend more time with her; I can't always be active with her or feel strong enough to make it through the day, but I thank God for the strength to pick her up every now and then (even with the pain); I may be "boring" (one of her favorite words) but I'm giving her as much wisdom as possible while I have the chance.

Be kind to yourself in this process. Try not to delegate too much to each day - some days you can push, some days you shouldn't. Work on the basics - food, hygiene and fun - they'll get you through the day. I've fallen in love with little crafting projects or science experiments from YouTube. Whatever you can do, without wearing yourself thin - go for it. Your family needs you do what you can, not go for broke. I believe you can do this💪🏾🙏🏾👍🏾

Raised 4 children while I had fibro. They all turned out great. All have a college education. All have jobs. All are happily married. They all learned how to clean, cook, do laundry, and anything else that needed doing. They also all had jobs while in high school and while in college. They learned right from the start that life wasn't fair or easy. That you had to work hard to get what you wanted and not to give up when things got tough. They also learned how to work together to get things done. I think our children actually have an advantage in that they learn about disabilties and how to accept people for who they are. They don't judge so quickly and are more likely to help someone because that's what they grew up doing. We are lucky to have our children and we have to tell them that and let them know that they are important to us.

It is important to not underestimate our chilldren. They are capable of understanding a great deal. If they know our limitations they can help us have a better life by not making things more difficult and by helping out with the things they can do. They aren't perfect. They will still be angry, do things they shouldn't and yell and get into things they shouldn't. We really need them to so we know they are just normal kids.

You have an illness and are working and raising children. Give yourself a giant break hon! I can't believe what you are doing!💜💖💜💖

I have a 9 yr old daughter and work a minimum of 40 hrs per week. I was diagnosed in January so I am trying to still work thru all of this. I am having a horrible time trying to do all of this. To top it off my job can be very stressful. Times like today make me wonder how long I can keep it up. I'm in a lot of pain. I leave the house at 6 am and return at 6 pm. Luckily my husband is a huge help!!! I don't know what I would do without him. Hugs!!!!

I'm not a healthy person; but braved. .. my 2 children always see me sick; I have had 5 pregnancy: 3 miscarriage and 2 kids by C-section, surgery x left ovarian erupted, 3 more for ovarian polyps, hysterectomy , endometriosis and uterus carcinoma..took cancer treatment for 2 years. . . ..but I still working as a preschool teacher, taking care of my family and my sick father....20 years ago, I started with arthritis ; I was lucky to have a maid and she clean; cook do, laundry to help me at home. 10 years ago diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and I was working full time as a Nanny , little by little I getting more and more sick. Now I just work 1 day: but I help my daughter with my2 pretty Granddaughters...I take too much medication for pain. ...I am a fibromyalgia warrior....