Parenting a child with special needs can feel overwhelming at times, but you are not alone. Here I want to offer encouragement and practical ways to mitigate some of the stress we all face on this journey.
Report Card Day -
I used to get really emotional on every single report card day. Okay - I cried my eyes out. I “knew” grades don’t really matter. In life - as an adult - who CARES if you got a C- in 3rd grade spelling??? But for some reason it always felt like that list of grades was a representation of my child’s inadequacies and struggles. And also of my own imperfections in helping her grow. It was devastating every time.
If that is where you are - I want to give you hope. It gets better. It really does.
Summer
I’m going to say something I know will be highly unpopular. But it needs to be said…
Summer is a GREAT time to catch up—or even get ahead! The average child loses several months of reading progress and at least a month of math progress over the summer. Just doing a little each day (or at least 4–5 days a week) can have a HUGE impact!
Making Goals
As a parent, my goals for school differ by child. Today I want to share a little about my goals for my autistic daughter and why we have chosen the path we are on. This is not for everyone, and that’s okay. While not everyone will agree with my choices, I believe it is still important to share our story.
You can do this!
The challenge is real. As parents of children with special needs, we face so many obstacles every single day. But you can do this! You are equipped for this! And it does get better. Remember that if you are given this challenge, then God will equip you to come through it.