Real advice for parenting through UC

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Real advice for parenting through UC

Read on for a few genius tips and tactics from UC parents and the health pros who treat them.

Plan for Flares

“I have a 6-month old, and I recently experienced a severe flare,” says Jamie D., of Chelan, WA. “I knew I was going to need a plan for when I was running to the bathroom 10 times a day on the days my husband was gone. (He’s a firefighter, so I’m home alone two or three days a week while he’s on shift.) I make sure to keep my son’s little chair and blanket on the floor in the bathroom at all times. If you have a quick and safe place to put them, it will make the situation a little easier if you don’t have someone there to help you.”

Ask for Help

“During my last flare, I realized asking for help is the smartest thing you can do for you and your children,” says Jamie D. “Even if you ask a friend or family member to come over for a couple hours just so you can take a nap can make the biggest difference in the world. Don’t feel guilty, embarrassed or defeated. That’s what family and friends are there for. Now that I know I can lean on others during times of weakness, a load has been taken off my shoulders and I don’t feel the need to do everything by myself.”

Do Some Batch Cooking

“It can be hard to make meals that will keep your tummy in check while also pleasing picky eaters,” says Carmen Sturdy, 33, a resident of British Columbia, Canada, who has ulcerative colitis and is the author of Every Last Bite: A Deliciously Clean Approach to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Batch cooking and freezing tummy-friendly meals that your kids also love will take the stress out of weeknight dinners. I like to pack my freezer full of food—hearty soups, rich stews, and casseroles—that I can thaw and have on the table in less than fifteen minutes.”

Posted on: July 6 2020

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