Two years ago I walked into her math class and stood along the edge in the back, where the mom of the kid who isn't good at math stands for awards ceremonies. Over the minutes that followed, I wasn't surprised my daughter's name wasn't called. It's not that I don't believe in her, it's just that I'd seen the tears, shredded papers, broken pencils and massive meltdowns that were her experience … [Read more...]
Reflections on a Decade of Special Needs Parenting
Read below for a guest post from Jennifer Janes. My daughter will turn ten years old soon. We’re living the Christmas nightmare all over again---the obsessing over the day, the party, the details, what people will bring, what they will wear, if they will behave the way she wants them to, if she will get the gifts she desperately wants. We’re losing sleep over all of this. Twice this week she has … [Read more...]
ENGAGE or DISTRACT?
Thinking quickly on our feet begins to come naturally as a parent of a child with special needs. Even all these years later, we still do the same for our grown son! So often, even before something happens, we look ahead to how it might turn out in any given the situation. Then, there are the times something is happening in the very moment when we must make on the spot decisions that might help … [Read more...]
Crucial Truth About Special Needs and Adoption
She turned thirteen this week. That's ten birthdays together. . . thousands of days and experiences since the day my oldest daughter moved into my home. On her birthdays, when I look through her baby pictures and reminisce, there is this gap. We've got just six pictures of her life from birth to 2 1/2 years. In those moments, the reality of loss, special needs and adoption feels so acute. Most … [Read more...]
Pick Your Battles: when losing doesn’t have to mean loss
Parenting experts have been known to quip the phrase “pick your battles.” In my experience as a special needs parent, however, the problem isn’t just about which battles to fight, but knowing when it’s okay to lose. Long ago I surrendered the battle with my autistic sons over a healthy diet in favor of settling for almost anything that would keep my picky, OCD eaters alive and breathing. … [Read more...]
Of Healing and Stained Glass
I have thought much of late about God’s healing power. I am convicted deeply of His power to heal, His desire to heal, and His willingness to heal. We certainly are right to ASK Him to heal. We have experienced miraculous healing in our family. When our younger son was 3 months old, I noticed he did not startle when there were loud noises. I watched him quietly for 3 days over Thanksgiving … [Read more...]