I have three grandchildren of my own with special needs. For me it always was a dream to be a grandmother. When my children were grown-up and got married, I could not wait for them to have kids so that I could become a granny. I love babies and was always good with toddlers and … Continue reading Guest Writer: Elmari Dryer – When Your Grandchild Has Special Needs
Can you remember that girl? Part 2 … and the Tattoo
Eight months have passed since I posted “Can you remember that girl?” As I read the blog post for the first time again tonight I realized; even in these eight months, I have changed. To remember that girl takes courage. It might be easier to just admit that I have changed. It is definitely easier … Continue reading Can you remember that girl? Part 2 … and the Tattoo
Can you remember that girl? Part 1
I had a specific flavor about me in the years before family life took hold of me. My zest for life was overwhelming. My dreams of the future, limitless. Creativity has always been just beside me in everything I did. It ranged from having a different routine every day to always making a birthday card, … Continue reading Can you remember that girl? Part 1
What If… Your Special Parenting Journey is Your Highest Qualification for This Life?
Each one of us is traveling through this life with a certain mountaintop in mind. We have dreams which can come true and other dreams that most probably never will. The important thing to remember about this journey is that the most significant parts are invisible. In a world where achievement and success win … Continue reading What If… Your Special Parenting Journey is Your Highest Qualification for This Life?
Dear Parent, Burnout Can Do More Harm Than Frequent Breaks Ever Will
I can remember so clearly the early years of parenthood, those times when I was on the brink of breaking down. I could very faintly feel the exhaustion setting in more and more, my patience very thin with the kids and emotions flying everywhere about the smallest issues. It was then when I knew that … Continue reading Dear Parent, Burnout Can Do More Harm Than Frequent Breaks Ever Will
How writing has always grounded me
On the best and worst of my days my head is almost always buzzing with a peculiar mixture of activity. The activity entertains ideas, to-do lists, impressions, emotions, words, songs and strategies. Reading that explanation of my mind activities here, is a bit disturbing, but I have realized that much of what I, or any … Continue reading How writing has always grounded me
Special Needs Parent you have nothing to be ashamed of
This past week was a week of wrestling for me. I wrestled with the big bad Wolf of Approval. This topic isn’t new, I have thought and wrestled with this many times before. But, I realized that I was just a bit naive to think that this important element of my character has been dealt … Continue reading Special Needs Parent you have nothing to be ashamed of
Non verbal…not stupid
How many times do we not subconsciously, or consciously, make the assumption that someone’s reply equals their thoughts? What if you just do not have the words to describe what you are thinking? We all have those frustrating moments where in mid conversation you would like to describe a thought, feeling or remember a name, but … Continue reading Non verbal…not stupid
How you can support your Special Needs Parent friend
Have you ever wondered if there is a way how you can meaningfully support a Special Needs Parent friend or family member? There definitely is! And it’s much simpler than you thought. Since our Parent Reality meetings started in 2014 the biggest, most evident benefit our parents receive is understanding. To be a Special Needs … Continue reading How you can support your Special Needs Parent friend
Dear Special Needs Parent: Welcome to Holland …
Explaining your experience as a Special Needs Parent is gut wrenching on the best of days. The last couple of weeks I have been trying to figure out how I would explain my experience to someone who has never lived with a Special Needs Child or with any child, for that matter. Where do I … Continue reading Dear Special Needs Parent: Welcome to Holland …
