Find a Support Group for Parents of Kids with Special Needs

Every parent could use some support from time to time. There will be plenty of good days when life seems easy. There will also be some incredibly stressful bad days to deal with. Parents of kids who have special needs can benefit from attending a good support group. Start by seeing if a group mentioned in this blog can help you. In San Jose, California, there is a support hotline for parents of kids who have special needs. This is an excellent resource for parents who have reached their breaking point and cannot leave the house to attend a support … Continue reading →

Where to Find a Support Group

All parents require a little bit of support at one time or another. Parents of children who have special needs can benefit from talking with other parents who are going through similar parenting experiences. It is a way to relieve stress, to find emotional support, and to feel understood. Here are some support groups for parents of children who have special needs. Parents of Children With Special Needs is a support group that was created by a group of moms who have children with special needs. The moms in the group provide emotional and spiritual support for each other, and … Continue reading →

Parents Need to Make Time to Release Stress

Often, the things that are the most difficult to do end up being the most rewarding. Parenting fits this description. Children are a blessing, but they can also the biggest source of a parent’s stress. Parents of kids who have special needs experience high amounts of stress. It is very important for parents to make time to release that stress in a healthy, appropriate, way. Parents want to make sure that their children have everything they need. Parents of kids who have special needs frequently end up focusing so much of their attention on their child that they forget to … Continue reading →

Meditation Can Help Ease Anxiety and Frustration

Everyone experiences frustration from time to time. Many children who have special needs frequently feel frustrated. If their special need includes a tendency to have low impulse control, this is going to make their lives more difficult. Learning how to meditate can help these children learn to self calm. Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used to help clear the mind and calm the body. It can help reduce feelings of anxiety. It is a practice that people can spend their entire lives working on. Even so, meditation can be something that a complete beginner can quickly pick … Continue reading →

Last Minute Holiday Survival Tips

I hope that all of your Christmas preparations are taken care of and you are ready to celebrate. Remember not to overdo it. The holidays are stressful and getting through them when you have a child with a special need to consider can be even more stressful. Stick to Your Schedule. Your child is likely in a daily routine and is comfortable with it. Don’t ignore the routine just to make it to a holiday party. Stay on schedule, and you and your child will be happier. Remind your family and friends that your child has special considerations you need … Continue reading →

Patient Rights

A big part of being a parent to a special needs child is frequent trips to the doctor. And more than anything, that means waiting. After all as Jerry Seinfeld once said, “They call it a waiting room for a reason. They’re gonna use it.” Our pediatrician’s office isn’t too bad. It’s the specialists that are the worst (especially if they are part of group that practices at a large hospital). Not only do they expect you to arrive 20 minutes early for an appointment (who are these people… TSA?), but then they offer no apologies for making you wait … Continue reading →

Fighting for Peace

As my family was remembering 9/11 this week, I have been pondering peace and what it means to me in my life, both as an American, and as a mother. I think that for me, peace is freedom from fear. If I had absolute peace of mind, I wouldn’t have to worry about my children going to school and being potential targets of assassins or terrorists. I wouldn’t have to agonize over their health and wonder how disease might negatively affect their lives. I’d never worry that people could bully or take advantage of them. And I’d be free from … Continue reading →

A Special Needs Parenting Energy Crisis?

What is the greatest gift that you can personally give your child? Take a moment and think about your answer. It it LOVE? Love is a wonderful thing, but nope. I don’t think so. Love is not enough. We’ve all heard of parents who probably loved their kids very much, but lost them due to neglect or abuse. I don’t think we can always say that abusive parents don’t love their children. Even neglectful parents may love their kids. But they don’t have the tools, knowledge, or mental health to be good parents. So I ask again, what is the … Continue reading →

“I Feel Like I’m Falling Apart.” 8 Ways to Cope with Overwhelming Stress

Anyone who has parented a special needs child understands it’s an all-consuming responsibility. As parents (and especially mothers) we have a tendency to pour our whole heart and soul into the special care of our son or daughter. Our instinct to nurture takes over, and we expect to be the “rescuer” who will make everything all better. We run ourselves ragged. We worry; we agonize. We don’t eat right and get enough sleep. And this eventually causes stress to overwhelm our bodies. Stress Took Over My Life In a previous blog I wrote about my own personal battle with stress … Continue reading →

Empty Bucket Syndrome: Six Ways to Get Replenished

My mother used to say, “You can’t give from an empty bucket.” I’m not exactly sure that’s true. I understand the principle behind the statement, but I belive that parents have the ability to somehow keep giving even after their “bucket” is woefully dry. It’s amazing how parents–and mothers especially–seem to always find the strength to keep going and giving, putting themselves last. Of course, you’re not going to be able to meet your child’s special needs if you’re physically, mentally, and emotionally bankrupt. So if you’re operating with “empty bucket syndrome,” I hope you’ll reevaluate. It’s time to start … Continue reading →