Raising Kids When You Have Fibromyalgia with Julie Schiffman

Over the last few months, many parents are unexpectedly learning how to "homeschool" as kids are unable to attend school in person during the COVID-19 pandemic. If having your kids out of the house for school was part of your fibromyalgia coping strategy, you might be struggling right about now!

In this episode, Tami interviews Julie Schiffman, a Fibromyalgia Coach-in-Training who has lived with fibromyalgia for over 20 years, all while raising three daughters. Listen in as Tami and Julie discuss the most important thing you can teach your kids, as well as tips to help you cope.

Key Points

• Fibromyalgia is not the end.
• What’s really important is teaching your kids character.
• Your fibromyalgia can really teach your kids how to not judge people and be respectful of people who are different than us.
• We are really teaching our kids how to be better human beings.
• You really need to let your kids learn to care for themselves. There will be a time they need to — so why not start now?
• One of the tools we often help our clients create is a Flare Survival Kit. This is a list of things that help you manage your fibromyalgia. You can stick this on your fridge and your family can help you.
• Most of us with fibromyalgia manage it ourselves and we don't think about how to include other people in that management.
• We try our best, but it’s okay to not be a hundred percent all the time. Just be who you are and embrace it

About Julie Schiffman

Julie Schiffman was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 20 years ago when her three daughters were very young. Over the years, she has learned so much about how to change her life to suit her illness. With the tools Julie's learned, she is no longer fearful for the future. Knowing how to take care of herself as a fibromyalgia patient is her key to having the confidence to live the best life possible.  

Julie helps moms struggling with guilt, desperation, and isolation, minimize their fibromyalgia symptoms while learning new ways of parenting.

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach.
• Get a free copy of Tami’s book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books.
• Ravyn's Doll: How To Explain Fibromyalgia To Your Child, by Melissa Swanson (Affiliate link)
• Ravyn's Doll Coloring Book, by Melissa Swanson (Affiliate link)
• Why Does Mommy Hurt? by Elizabeth M. Christy (Affiliate link)