New year's resolutions for special needs parents

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New Year's resolutions for the special needs parent

What is a resolution? The dictionary tells us a resolution is firm

determination; a course of action determined or decided on. Us special needs

parents resolve everyday to do the best we can for our children with

disabilities. Rather than looking for new resolutions, let's review those we

live by and others we need to dust off and use again.

Dawn Villarreal, One Place for Special Needs, January 2010

1. Keep your faith in your abilities as a parent.

2. Encourage your daughter to explore her world when she’d rather stay home

where it’s safe and comfortable.

3. Challenge your son to live up to his potential rather than the low

expectations others put on him.

4. Find ways to enjoy life even when it feels like the world’s weight is on your

shoulders.

5. Channel your inner creativity to find original solutions.

6. Get out in the community as a family so we can be seen, not forgotten by

society.

7. Teach daily living skills now to support independence in the future.

8. Be patient with ignorant store patrons, relatives and the like for they know

not what they’re talking about.

9. Look for ways to assist your son at home because accommodations are not just

for school.

10. Remember your sense of humor for it is the glue to your sanity.

11. Insist doctors and other staff see your son as a person who deserves the

courtesy to be talked to rather than about in third person.

12. Start asking for help and be surprised at how many wonderful, supportive

people are happy to give you a hand.

13. Involve your child even though it's quicker to do it yourself.

14. View the world from your son’s perspective before becoming angry or

impatient.

15. Advocate on your daughter’s behalf at school because, if you don’t speak up,

she will never get the proper support she needs.

16. Be knowledgeable because you owe it to your child to be informed.

17. Recognize that support comes from many places, not just your family.

18. Reach out to another special needs family who can benefit from your advice

and kind words.

19. Spread acceptance and awareness in your community to open doors and

eliminate injustice for those with disabilities.

20. Let your child know she is loved.

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