This is the time of year when people start thinking about the types of gifts that will bring some joy into the lives of their relatives and loved ones. Is someone in your family a parent of a child that has special needs? The best gift you can give that parent is the gift of “time off”. Give them a much needed break!
Parenting is not always easy, or enjoyable. All parents experience a certain amount of stress. I think that most people realize this truth, whether or not they happen to be parents themselves.
Across the United States, there are around 16.8 million families who are caring for a child who has special needs, and who is under the age of eighteen. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, these families are more likely to have financial problems, and are far more likely to divorce, than are families where none of the children have special needs.
When parents need to take a night off, to spend a few (childless) hours with each other, they call a babysitter. This allows those parents to de-stress, to get out of the house, to relax, and to reconnect with each other.
However, parents who have kids with certain kinds of special needs are unable to do that. Instead, those parents would require a “babysitter” who has been trained and educated in how to work with their child’s special needs. Some parents may require an alternate caregiver who has been medically trained. The neighborhood, teenage, babysitter is not likely to meet these qualifications.
Families of children who have special needs tend to have financial problems. Their child’s needs may require medical devices, treatment, medication, or therapy that is not covered by the parent’s health insurance plans. Anytime a family has financial difficulties, it leads to stress.
Parents of kids who have no special needs can sign their child up for a summer camp program, an after school program, or to regularly attend a daycare without having to worry too much about whether or not the camp, school, or daycare, is adequately able to meet their child’s needs.
Parents of kids who have special needs might be unable to find these types of services that can accommodate their child. Or, the parent might receive phone calls to come pick up their child early, due to what is perceived as a “behavior problem”.
In some cases, a child will have special needs that are severe. Often, this results in a parent becoming unemployed in order to become a full time caregiver to their child. Less income can lead to even more financial stress.
It is vitally important for parents, all parents, to have some “down time” that they can use to take care of themselves. Having a few hours to relax can really do wonders for the physical and mental health of a parent, especially for parents who experience a lot of stress.
The best gift you can give a parent of a special needs child this year is the gift of “Time Off”. Offer to watch their child for a few hours. Let that parent go take a relaxing bath, or have a quick trip to Starbucks, without having to worry about how their child’s needs will be met. It will be appreciated!
Image by Cara Photography on Flickr