Parenting is hard. But parenting while living with chronic pain? That’s a different kind of battle altogether—one that often goes unseen and unspoken.

At Wander and Rest Life, we work to amplify the voices of those navigating invisible illnesses like fibromyalgia while also nurturing and raising their children. We see you. We honour your fight. And we want to acknowledge the reality many parents are living through every single day.

The Weight of Invisible Pain

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic illness characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. According to the NHS and the CDC, fibromyalgia affects approximately 2–4% of the population, with women making up around 80–90% of those diagnosed.

For parents, the challenge goes beyond managing pain—it’s about balancing pain with presence. That means getting up for school runs while your body screams for rest. It means preparing meals with aching hands. It means showing up for your children emotionally, even when you’re running on empty.

The Double Load of Parenthood and Chronic Illness

Raising children requires consistency, energy, and patience. But fibromyalgia often brings unpredictable flare-ups, chronic fatigue, and brain fog—making everyday parenting tasks feel ten times harder.

Many parents report feelings of guilt, anxiety, and isolation, especially when they can’t physically or mentally keep up with what they feel their children deserve. The truth is: this is not a reflection of failure, but a reflection of resilience.

You’re still doing it—even on days when your body says no.

How It Affects Families

Chronic illness doesn’t just affect the person living with it—it affects the whole family. Children may not always understand why Mum or Dad needs to lie down so often, or why plans sometimes get cancelled. But these moments can also teach children compassion, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Creating a home where emotions and limitations are talked about openly helps children feel safe and connected, even when circumstances are difficult.

What Helps

Here are some things that other fibro parents say help them keep going:

• Pacing and prioritising: Doing one important task a day instead of trying to “do it all.”

• Gentle routines: Predictable rhythms help both parents and children feel grounded.

• Asking for support: Whether it’s from family, friends, or support groups—no one should carry this alone.

• Educating children: In age-appropriate ways, helping them understand what fibromyalgia is and how they can help makes a big difference.

• Letting go of guilt: You’re doing the best you can with the body and energy you have. And that is more than enough.

You Are Not Alone

To every parent living with fibromyalgia: we see your strength. We understand the daily choices you make to keep going when the world doesn’t see your pain. You are raising your children through an extraordinary amount of effort, and we honour that deeply.

👉 If you’d like to hear a personal journey of parenting with fibromyalgia, click here to read about Sinikka’s story—a mother raising a 5-year-old son with autism and an older son, being a wife and all while living with fibro. Her journey is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring.