Help! I need somebody!
"When I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody's help in any way-" or so I thought at least. The truth is I have been very fortunate to have lots of helpers around - particularly since "the boys" came along. It has been a lifesaver in so many ways.
Katherine has always been a diva, so she has always appreciated having the attention of as many people as possible. While she definitely wants my attention, she wants more than I can give. Also, it was clear early on that another set of eyes and hands helped her reach further and try harder - just like most kids. Nowadays if I'm home too many nights in a row, Katherine will ask for a sitter.
When we moved to Tennessee, there were lots of events calling me out of the house for the evening. Someone had told my husband about Nannies of Green Hills, and I gave them a call. They don't specialize in working with families with disabled children, but they do work with a lot of families and their screening process is intense. I had really good luck with them. Often they found Nannies for me who were working on therapy degrees, and these young women were thrilled to hang out with Katherine and her little brothers. Over the course of 11 years I have hired 4 different people for full time positions that I met through Nannies of Green Hills.
There's no one out there who can take care of your child like you do. I know my daughter. I know when she's sick and when she's faking. I know when she's upset and when she's seeking attention. I have literally sensed when her VP shunt had malfunctioned even though she didn't exhibit any of the typical signs and the doctors told me she had a virus. At the same time, it was an important step for me to realize that she could function and even thrive without my constant care. Finding additional helping hands isn't always easy, but its worth it.
Admitting that I could use an extra set of hands around the house about 10 years ago, and having access to a handful of helpers has allowed me to focus on my husband when he needs my attention. I have been more accessible to my boys and their activities even when the soccer fields weren't really accessible. I love to travel with my husband, and I've gotten lots of opportunities to do that because there are capable hands who can handle the world for a few days in my absence.
I couldn't be more thankful for all the young women who have helped me these past several years.
