MOHO Activity Example 10-3 The Perfect Parent

MOHO Activity Example 10-3 The Perfect Parent

This activity is designed for parents who have arthritis or other physical illness involving chronic pain or limitation, who wish to continue being good parents to their young children.

Materials: Worksheets and pencils.

Directions: Have members begin by giving their names and then the names and ages of children living with them. “The purpose of today’s activity is to identify some specific concerns involving your ability to care for your children as you deal with the chronic pain and limitations of arthritis.” Hand out worksheets and pencils and give 15 minutes to complete. Areas to consider for parental tasks are meal preparation, dressing, shopping, family events, school-related activities, sports, cultural and social activities, developing special talents or interests, and nurturing/ emotional support.

Discussion: The group shares areas of concern from their individual worksheets. Priorities may be discussed, and ideas for coping with conflicts may be shared

 

MOHO Activity Example 10-3 The Perfect Parent (continued)

The Perfect Parent Worksheet

Write name and age of each child:

List and describe five tasks you must perform for your children before 9:00 a.m. on a typical school day.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

List five tasks your children would appreciate you doing for them before they return home from school.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

List five tasks you must do for your children after 5:00 p.m. on a typical school day.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Go back over the above lists, and place an asterisk (*) next to those tasks that present potential problems for you in terms of physical exertion or endurance, time constraints, or conflicting obligations

 

MOHO Activity Example 10-3 The Perfect Parent (continued)

The Perfect Parent Schedule Worksheet

Directions: Write the tasks listed on the preceding page in the column “Things I Want to Do for My Children” at the appropriate times. Then, in the next column, schedule in your own needs for rest, exercise, socialization, and other obligations. Put an asterisk (*) next to possible conflicts between these.

Typical School Day	Things I Want to Do for My Children	Things I Want to Do for Myself
6:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m.
11:00 p.m. or later

 

Conflict areas:

Coping strategies: