[if you’re new to the blog, you can read about our journey with Autism here]
1 | Am I doing enough for my child?
As a special needs parent, heck, even just as a parent you’re always wanting to know you’re doing the best for your child. Because, you want the best for your child. Being a special needs parent is hard, confusing, and at the drop of a dime things can change. You’re attempting to navigate your way through school, IEP’s, evaluations, therapies, doctors, appointments, information, and everything else that piles in on top, and ensure that you’re making the best decisions in every area. It can often feel impossibly overwhelming and it’s something that is always on my mind.
Let me help you to quiet those thoughts. Let me help to remind you that you’re doing an amazing job. The fact that you even clicked on this post, the fact that you’re reading these words, you’re trying.
2 | Am I being the parent that my child needs? Am I meeting their needs?
I’ve read the books, I’ve heard the podcasts. But am I being the best parent for my child? Am I meeting their needs? Are our strategies the best strategies? Am I too strict, too lax? These are things that run through my brain on a daily basis. I’ve always considered myself as a person that fell right smack-dab in the middle of strong and relaxed, but is that what my child needs?
3 | Is my child happy?
As a parent you do everything possible to ensure your child is happy. As a special needs parent this is magnified because you know your child has more to overcome to get there. You want to do everything possible to ensure every day is a great day for them. I often think about if my son is happy, if I’m planning the right activities, keeping him engaged, interested, and satisfied with his life. Do I see him smile on a daily basis? Is he happy?
This may seem silly to some, but I think at the core of every parent are these worries, these questions. But I’m guessing that there has to be someone out there who is reading and staring intently at their computer thinking — I GET THIS, I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT! And to this person, we are now officially best friends.
I’m always worried that I’m meeting my child’s needs. He’s autistic and it’s so difficult to gauge.
I know exactly what you mean, Alina. My son is Autistic as well and it’s so difficult sometimes to gauge what is best for him. You’re not in this alone!
My son is 18 and I wonder if he will ever be able to function and take care of himself or will he live at home forever? He has a illness called perservance. . We have tried occupational therapy regular therapy, and its still very hard/ Daily prayers are the only thing that helps me through. I know God has a plan for his life just not sure what that is. Prayers for patience and undesrstanting.