That Mom With CP

Chapter three of a long-form series on motherhood and cerebral palsy

Starting the Day as a mom With CP

The umbrella stroller sits next to my bed overnight, waiting for my youngest to let me know she’s ready to start her day.

By morning, I’m stiff, sore, and not excited to leave my pillow.

Still, I get up, stretch my legs, and make my way to the bathroom with the echo of “mama” calling through the monitor.

My girls, ages 1 and 2, don’t know I have Cerebral Palsy. They just see me as mommy — and for that I’m grateful. Yet the urgency of toddlerhood has a way of confronting every limitation I’m tempted to pretend doesn’t exist.

Because yes, I have CP.

And sometimes being a mom with Cerebral Palsy looks a little different than the norm.

My motherhood journey consists of a lot of patience, adaptations, and preparing ahead for things other moms may not have to think twice about.

And not every day looks the same.

Some mornings we are up and ready to go without a care in the world. Other mornings I yearn for the ability to slowly drink my coffee and let my body wake up before my daughters ask me to refill their sippy cups for the 10th time.

 But we make it work.

Accessibility Preparations as a Mom With Cerebral Palsy

I’ve learned — through stress, tears, and a whole lot of trial and error — that I have to be intentional about the way I set things up at home to keep our days running smoothly.

The umbrella stroller beside my bed isn’t random. It’s there because carrying a toddler first thing in the morning while my legs are still stiff isn’t always realistic for me.

As a mom with Cerebral Palsy, I strategically leave things where I know I’ll need them later because unnecessary trips back and forth across the house can wear me out faster than most people realize — especially while carrying a toddler, two sippy cups, and an armful of their favorite toys.

Preparing for Tomorrow Before Bed

This usually means preparing for the next day before my head even touches the pillow.

Are the diapers stocked next to the sofa?

Where is the umbrella stroller?

Do I have everything I need within reach?

I find myself mentally walking through tomorrow before it even begins because a little preparation tonight can save me a lot of energy in the morning.

The Mental Load of Disabled Parenting as a mom with cerebral palsy

What might seem like small things to someone else often make a big difference for me. Having the stroller beside my bed, diapers stocked where I use them most, and everyday essentials within easy reach helps me start the day focused on my girls instead of scrambling to catch up with my body.

This is the aspect of disabled parenting people often miss: the forethought, preparation, and mental energy required for tasks that most people consider routine.

There is a constant awareness of what my body can handle, what obstacles might slow me down, and how I can set myself up for success before the day even begins.

And to me, that’s normal.

Why It’s Worth It

But truthfully, I’m not doing it on my own. I’m so blessed to have a thoughtful, caring, and amazing husband who makes sure I have what I need, too.

He makes my life better every day.

All of that to say, disabled parenting is hard.

It requires creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to constantly adapt as my children grow and their needs change.

Some days that looks like an umbrella stroller parked beside my bed. Other days it looks like finding a new way to accomplish a task I’ve done a hundred times before.

The reality is that disabled parenting isn’t just about what happens in the moment. It’s about the planning that happens beforehand, the adjustments made behind the scenes, and the mental energy spent making sure everything is in place before the day even begins.

My girls may never notice those things.

They won’t remember the stroller beside my bed or the extra thought that went into making our home work for me.

What they’ll remember is that Mom was there.

And for me, that’s what makes all the preparation worth it.