A part of good parenting is keeping yourself healthy and safe. How many of us neglect to do the simple things in life that need to be done to keep us healthy? I know I do.

Keeping a reminder on the fridge to have a Pap smear, breast

My daughter at 21 has had changes of the cervix that have needed to be investigated. My friends daughter at 19 has had the same. My sister at 42 has had a total hysterectomy because of changes in the cervix and that was leading to cancer and a dear dear dear friend of mine is now going through the same thing....

Just a little over 4 years ago I had a smear test come back, for the third time, saying I need to have further investigations....I never had this seen to. More because my life swallowed me up and I lost track of time, need and want. That was also during the time my husband passed away and I failed to look after myself or needs properly.

So I understand how life can be and how we can forget to do these simple things in life to make sure we are healthy and safe....but is this really an excuse?

With all the reminders in my life, such as my daughter, sister and friend...you’d think that I would have been prompted to actually get my problems sorted out....but I didn’t and haven’t and the reason....I am scared of what they will find, if anything...which really is stupid of me. I’d be more scared if they found something serious that and because of my time wasted I didn’t and couldn’t have fixed now...

If our children are sick we take them to the doctors. We don’t neglect them...if we are sick we normally march on and deal with it...this isn’t the way it should be.

Parents need to change their attitudes, me included. We are no use to our children if we are not functional. And, to put it bluntly, how can we help and raise our children if we find out that we are too sick to do it.

There are certain tests we can have to try and be a step in front of things like breast, cervical and prostrate cancer. They aren’t pleasant to have and for the most are uncomfortable and degrading...but what is better to have? The test or the disease?

Being a responsible parent means having these tests. I’m booked to have one this coming week. When is yours booked?

Cheers

OB