Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Ten Reasons to Give Thanks for Your Child with Special Needs

1. You never have to worry about worrying over nothing.
Let other parents obsess over the frivolous and the shallow. Your child will make sure you always have something worthy to worry about.

2. Developmental delays = more years of hugs, kisses, and little-kid sweetness.
My 13-year-old still wants to sit in my lap, give me hugs, and tell me he loves me. What mom of a sullen teen doesn't secretly wish for the same?

3. Maybe someday, Ty Pennington will come build you a house.
Hey, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition loves families of children with special needs. Your little one may be your ticket to a lavish living space.


4. Any little milestone is a cause to throw a party.
Your child works hard for every step, sit-up and syllable, giving you lots to be excited about.


5. Every day is a learning experience.
Some days it's a pop quiz, some days it's a crash course, but life with your child is always an education, for sure.


6. You have the privilege of putting several doctors' children through college.
After paying for all those appointments, you may feel like a one-family scholarship foundation. Put your child's name on some letterhead and take pride.


7. You meet a better class of parent in waiting rooms and support groups.
Your child frees you from having to hang out with those snotty parents on the playground, and gives you entry into an exclusive club of people who are sensitive, sarcastic, and sure of their priorities.


8. You have an iron-clad escape excuse for any occasion.
You'd love to stay at that boring party, crowded event, endless church service, but, you know, your child just can't tolerate it. (And if sometimes it's you who can't tolerate it -- who's to know?)

9. Coming up with new strategies every day keeps your brain sharp.
They say doing crossword puzzles helps ward off Alzheimer's. Figuring out your child's schedules and treatments and lessons and rights and restrictions must easily provide twice the protection.


10. Your blessings will always be fully counted.
Other parents may take the gifts that their children bring for granted. Not you. Not ever.



Written by Terri Mauro, About.com Guide

6 comments:

Big Daddy Autism said...

Wow. That was spot on. I'm gonna use it at the Thanksgiving table this year.

carolinaheartstrings said...

I think number 10 says it all, truly!

Lynn said...

Love this list! I love #2. I feel like it a guilty little secret that I have, so I'm glad that you voiced it. I'm afraid that people will think I'm keeping my kid in arrested development, but that's just the way they are and it's so sweet and has helped me get through so many tough times.

dluvscoke said...

Katelyn says I use #8 too much. I admit, I probably do!

autismand said...

Wonderful. Especially 3. I'd settle for Ty just turning up on my doorstep, never mind actually building me a house.

dluvscoke said...

Hahaha bbsmum. That is great! I just knew my readers could relate :)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...