Being a special needs parent is…
Accepting challenges. Not always with grace, but with determination.
Knowing when to fight, when to back down, when to push your kids and when to let them quietly decompress.
Because sometimes, there is no room for error.
It is going past the point of exhaustion.
Every
Single
Day.
Being a special needs parent is juggling.
Juggling medications, schedules, diets and cheque books.
Juggling appointments and therapies and errands and emotions.
Juggling recent aversions and obsessions, ensuring Netflix is on the iPad and the orange pajamas are clean.
Every
Single
Day.
Being a special needs parent is being in the spotlight.
Answering questions, addressing issues and repeating “different, not less” a thousand times a day.
Being a special needs parent is giving 110%, but none of it to yourself.
It is devoting your life to someone who is unable to communicate their love for you.
Every
Single
Day.
Being a special needs parent is having faith in a God who seems to have forsaken you,
Strength to get through the days and nights,
And hope that it will get better.
Not for you, of course, but for your child. Because you worry.
Every
Single
Day.
Being a special needs parent is finding the beauty in the differences.
It is about being in Holland when everyone else is in Italy.
It is finding joy in the little things, experiencing the true depths of love, and never taking a single moment for granted.
It is counting your blessings and being thankful when others wonder how you manage…
Every
Single
Day.
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Dawn Beronilla is a devoted stepmother and mother of 3 beautiful boys 7 and under. Their range of needs encompass everything from life threatening allergies to suspected autism and other developmental delays. You can follow the love and madness by subscribing to this blog and following Dawn on the Happiness Cubed Facebook page. Showing your support and spreading the word by sharing the posts you love on your favorite social media outlet is always encouraged.
Want to get in touch? Using the tabs at the top of the home page you will find one labelled “Contact Me”. Dawn would love to hear from you.
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I especially love the Holland/Italy observation but the whole thing is lovely and heartbreaking.
Thank you Louise! I really appreciate your feedback!
very well written and thinking of you all everyday!!!!!
Thank you Paula! xo
I Love You! xoxo
I love you too She-She. xoxo
I dont comment alot due to being busy busy busy, but know that I read always and that your writing STILL amazes me! I find myself checking to see if you have posted. Love you girlie and I think about you and your family always! Your amazing!
xoxo
Thanks dollface! That means a lot. xoxo
Aw, Dawn, I love this post. I’ll love it every single day. The sentence about making sure the orange pajamas are clean was perfect. My son Tucker owns probably seven amazingly cute pi’s. How many pairs will he actually wear? One. One! Well, actually two, because I finally gave in and bought an identical pair. But don’t tell him.
I really loved this:
“And hope that it will get better.
Not for you, of course, but for your child. Because you worry.”
Beautiful post. Beautiful blog. I’m going to go “Like” your Facebook page right now
I truly identify with this, as I too am a mother to a child with special needs. Few understand what it really means. Thank you for sharing.
Second time commenting! Not sure what happened but wanted to make sure you know what an incredibly beautiful post this is!
Beautiful post. …it takes so much heart and sacrifice to parent “normal” children and double as much for those with special needs. *salutes*
You really conveyed your experience in this beautiful post. I feel like my understanding has been broadened. Hugs to you, Dawn. Ellen
Nice. The “Every Single Day” refrain got more powerful with each repetition. I’m not a parent, let alone a special needs parent, so naturally I was quite exhausted by the end of your post – which means it was written well!
I was a former teacher of children with special needs so I have a special place in my heart for children with special needs and their families. I wish I had this when I was teaching. Thanks, Erin