Running Triage: A Note From Carrie

Happy summer. Although, if you live in the Midwest, we’ve almost been running our heat in the last few weeks. It’s been so cold.

My son has spent a lot of time in the emergency room, and as a result of his tracheostomy, we’ve often bypassed (much to the chagrin of others) the long waits as we’re promptly ushered back to triage so he doesn’t catch germs. You’re probably familiar with triage, but the idea is that when you have several urgent events simultaneously occurring, medical personnel have to decide who is seen first.

As special needs parents, we often have to run triage in our home, especially when we have multiple children. When everyone needs us at the same time, do we call the doctor first, do laundry, or take care of something more imminent?

Often we are plagued with guilt because we have to prioritize the needs of one child or task over another. What has to wait? How do we decide? How do we balance the triage situations in our home?

I love Sara’s 10, 10, 10 rule. Is this going to matter in the next ten minutes, ten hours, ten days, or possibly ten years? If not, then we need to let it go, or the task moves to the bottom of the list. If you want to hear more about this topic, listen to episode 112 of our podcast.

When we’re balancing the needs of our husband (if you have one), children, and family, I also like to think about buckets. Who needs their bucket filled today, and what can I do to fill that? Knowing and understanding the love languages is really important for this. Watching our children for behavior or emotional outbursts might mean that their bucket is running low, and they need us to communicate love to them. If you’re not sure about love languages, check out Jolene Philo’s book.

Lastly, don’t forget to consider your own needs when you’re making running triage. What about your rest, your sleep, and your needs? We talk a lot about this on our podcast, but it is a priority, and we need to make it so. You won’t be able to care for others if you’re not filling your own bucket spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

How are you doing at running triage in your home? How are you doing at prioritizing your own health and wellness? Feel free to reply to this e-mail and start a conversation.

Lastly, we have a goal to get 25 Amazon reviews on our new book The Other Side of Special, by June 30th. We’re currently at 15. Can you go on and leave a review for us? We greatly appreciate it.