Special Needs Parenting

Finding Faith And Friendship On The Special Needs Journey

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Our Mission
  • Our Writers
  • Resources
  • Special Needs Parents Appreciation Month

5 things to do after someone you love receives a special needs diagnosis

September 3, 2014 by Gillian Marchenko 3 Comments

5 things you can do after a family you love receives a special needs diagnosis I’ll never forget the moment I was told my baby had Down syndrome. I was sitting next to her incubator in a hospital, holding on to her heel. I remember being pleased because her eyes were open. She stared intently into mine. The doctor spoke and the words ‘Down syndrome’ crashed over me. Suddenly I was alone without a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Uncategorized Tagged With: 5 things to support a special needs diagnosis, Down syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, special needs diagnosis

Special needs school of life – just keep going

June 4, 2014 by Gillian Marchenko 13 Comments

Special needs school of life - just keep going A few Saturdays ago, my husband Sergei and I took Polly and Evangeline, our two daughters with special needs (Polly has Down syndrome and Moyamoya, Evie has autism and Down syndrome) to play soccer in an AYSO program built for families affected by disability in Chicago. A friend from the girls' school told us about it. "Just sign up. It's great. It … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Living Life Daily Tagged With: abundant life, Down syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, hope, parenting special needs, special needs hard life, special needs parenting, Special Needs parents, Special needs school, special needs soccer

Special needs, siblings, and screw ups

April 2, 2014 by Gillian Marchenko 3 Comments

Special needs, siblings, and screw ups   “Mom!  We just realized that our school play is during the same week as family camp. We had to pull out of the play. We gave our lines to other actors,” my eleven-year-old daughter Zoya looked at me, alarmed, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. This happened last year when we were offered an amazing scholarship to attend a special needs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gillian Marchenko, Uncategorized Tagged With: Gillian Marchenko, not alone, parenting special needs, screwing up the siblings of kids with special needs, siblings, special needs

Appreciating the pit crew in special needs parenting

March 5, 2014 by Gillian Marchenko 11 Comments

Appreciating the pit crew in special needs parenting Before parenting children with special needs... driving alone I know this statement will seem a bit counter-Christian. But sometimes I think all any of us are really trying to do is create mini kingdoms. People need to rule. We need to be noticed. We crave praise. And we need others to notice that we can actually handle our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko Tagged With: Down syndrome, Encouragement, Gillian Marchenko, special needs, special needs parenting, Special Needs parents, special needs support, support

You don’t have to be a cheerleader every day

February 5, 2014 by Gillian Marchenko 3 Comments

  I read a blog one day from a mother of a child with Down syndrome. “I love my daughter but I’m not ready to celebrate Down syndrome.” I just want to say that I hear you. And I validate you. You don't have to be a cheerleader every day. Sometimes in our special needs circles certain types of people are pushed forward as spokespeople. You’ve got the instantly accepting parent … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, encouragement groups, Gillian Marchenko Tagged With: cheerleader, Down syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, special needs encouragement, struggling with special needs

I don’t know how you do it

January 1, 2014 by Gillian Marchenko 4 Comments

"I don't know how you do it." Special needs parents, raise your hand if this a sentiment you hear often. I hear it a lot. And I attempt a charming joke, "Not very well, that's how I do it." Small, calculated chuckles abound for five seconds making my conversation partner and I both feel good. But then the laughter dies, and I look away. I don't think the other person believes me when … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Living Life Daily Tagged With: advice, christian parenting, Down syndrome, Encouragement, Gillian Marchenko, I don't know how you do it, parenting a child with special needs, parenting special needs

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Join Us On Facebook!

Join Us On Facebook!

Top Posts & Pages

  • 1,000 Voices
    1,000 Voices
  • Why Did God Give Me a Child with a Special Need?
    Why Did God Give Me a Child with a Special Need?
  • Praying Scripture over My Child with Special Needs
    Praying Scripture over My Child with Special Needs
  • Please stop telling me to take care of myself (+10 Ways to Help a SN Parent)
    Please stop telling me to take care of myself (+10 Ways to Help a SN Parent)
  • God's Purpose in My Child's Disability
    God's Purpose in My Child's Disability
  • Blessings in Disguise
    Blessings in Disguise

Recent Pins

Visit Not Alone's profile on Pinterest.

Copyright © 2021 Not Alone · Built on the Genesis Framework · Site by Design by Insight

Copyright © 2021 · Not Alone on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in