The stress level in the house is pretty high today. I’m not sure exactly what this high level of stress stems from because it’s probably not one single thing. We’re worried about Gavin’s immunological issues, countless growup issues that we shield the kids from, and all the other things that go along with being a special needs family.

While we’re getting out of the house on day trips, Lizze and I haven’t had a night to ourselves in a long time.

Any parent can go crazy without time to themselves. As special needs parents, we almost never get time to ourselves and the extreme toll it takes on our physical/emotional well being is very real.

Lizze and I are burning out.

In our lives, there is simply too much to worry about and few ways to resolve many of those worries. It all takes a toll and as human beings, that toll can feel crushing.

Having said that, it appears that the boys will be gone tonight, leading to Lizze and I getting a short but desperately needed break. We are incredibly grateful for that. In order to survive the rest of the day, we’re going to take the boys on another hike at a park they’ve never been to.

We should be back, just in time for them to leave for the grandparents.

I wish we could have both a physical and emotional break but that’s not something anyone can provide. We may get a break from the kids but getting a break from all the worry isn’t possible until those worries are resolved.

So many special needs parents deal with the same struggles and my heart goes out to each and every one of you.

All we can do is the best we can. We can forgive ourselves for our human limitations and move forward, one step at a time. Stay strong and don’t give up.