Caring for parents

■ Day by Day:Emotional Wellbeing in Parents of Disabled Children, by Joanna Griffin, Free Association Books, £14.99

PARENTING a disabled child can elicit complex emotional responses. For many parents their focus is solely on the child and their own needs become neglected.

Psychologist Joanna Griffin uses personal experience as a parent of a disabled child and her professional expertise to explore what helps and hinders parent carers’ emotional wellbeing.

Griffin has identified seven areas that provide support.

She offers tools to help families navigate the complicated emotions that can impact everyday life such as acknowledging feelings, connecting with positive others, empowering yourself, regularly engaging in self-care and finding your own sense of meaning and purpose in life.