My Journey With Crohn’s Part 4: Crohn’s Mom

Now that you’ve heard all about how where it all began and how I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, as well how pregnancies can go, I want to share what it’s like being a mom with Crohn’s Disease.

Make sure you read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of my story if you haven’t already.

Being a Crohn’s Mom

It’s not easy being a mom with a chronic illness like Crohn’s disease, especially since we decided to homeschool our kids.

Some days are easier than others.

There are mornings I wake up with a ton of spoons (read the Spoon Theory if you haven’t!), and other days where I feel like I can barely function.

On the days that it’s hard, we do homeschool in my bed instead of the homeschool room.

I’ve had go through the stages of grief with a chronic illness – to mourn the death of my healthy self, which I know will never be able to come back, no matter how long the current bout of remission lasts.

I’ve had to learn how to stop comparing my style of parenting with others who are healthy moms.

My chronic illness can be a hinderance, but it can also be a gift. My children learn a lot about compassion, service, and empathy.

They learn a lot about biology and the human body.

They learn about relying on our faith.

They learn about giving themselves grace and that it’s okay to not be perfect.

So in the end, parenting with a chronic illness is so hard, but it’s also a gift.

I wouldn’t trade this experience for all the health in the world.