10 Tips for Moms Parenting a Child with Special Needs

Here are some tips that I have gathered from conversations with parents and some ways to put them into practice. Let me know what you think!!
Cathy

1. Focus on Today— Today is the only place in time that you have true control over. You can keep the future in mind and still focus your energies on the tasks at hand. Every parent needs to feel like they can accomplish and finish something.

2. Help your baby learn to sleep—80% of all babies with developmental issues have some type of sleep issue. Sleep issues can become a mountain for everyone. Your baby may begin to show some subtle signs that she is stressed. Many of the stress signs are familiar such as, crying, irritation, and agitation and arching. Other signs might include squirming or restless movements, twitches, droopy eyelids or eyes closed, grimacing, and presenting a worried look.

 

3. Understand your child’s developmental level and stage— Discipline needs to be considered from a developmental perspective. Use the child’s functional age to determine which strategies to use.

 4. You know your baby better than anyone else— Babies who are premature have an immature nervous system. They can become “disorganized” and cannot manage various stimulation at home. The concept of organization related to the nervous system refers to the ability for babies to coordinate muscle movements which are weakened due to the immature nervous system. Listen to your intuition about what is going on with your baby.

5. Take care of yourself

  Get active-you and your baby
Manage your energy
Sleep

Eat

In times of stress: Simplify what you can. Breathe. Back off a little.
Keep your focus on what you want. You need a minimum of five hours of sleep a night to feel refreshed. Focus on your strengths--Parents often is not aware of their talents and often not willing to embrace them. Use your strengths to resolve issues. 

6.Get help at home--Remember don’t turn down help! Make a list of the things that would be helpful, making dinner, grocery shopping, etc and have the list available for those offering help to choose what they can do.

7. Talk with other parents—Find support, talk to others and challenge any thoughts that prevent you from reaching out.

8. Gain information about your child’s condition —Watch copyright dates. Learn as much as you can about the condition and then remember every child is different.

9. Adjust your expectations— Energy is at a premium-do what is absolutely necessary.

10.Understand that being the parents of a child with special needs is a devastating, life changing experience. Your emotions must be felt— Denial, anxiety anger depression, guilt and fear are all feeling states that need to be experienced and felt—not ignored—for resolution.