10 Things That Parents Of Disabled Kids Should Know

10 Things Parents Of Disabled Children Should Know.

Being a parent is challenging, but being a parent of a child with disabilities is even harder. Let me ask you a couple of questions. Are you new to being a parent of a disabled child? Do you feel as if your world has been turned upside down? Or do you feel lost and helpless on what steps to take next? If you said "yes" to any of these questions, then you came to the right place. My mom and dad were in that exact same place when I was born. It wasn't easy, but as my parents grew on their knowledge, they came up with different tips that will help you and your child live your best life possible. Let's check out these different tips, shall we?

Tips For Living Your Best Life Possible With Your Disabled Child

Trust your instincts

There are a lot of great resources out in the world such as doctors, teachers, and therapists, but they only go off of what they learn. If you don't feel like you or your child's needs are being met, trust your own instincts, and don't be afraid to fight back. The professionals may be experts in their areas, but you are an expert in your child.

Don't lose yourself

Although being a parent of a disabled child is part of your identity, it shouldn't be the only thing that makes up all of who you are as a person. An important thing to remember is to make time for yourself. Set aside some time and either have someone watch them for a little while or if you are single have your child nearby, so you can keep an eye on them while you do any activity of your choice.

Keep your sense of humor

Taking care of a child with disabilities is like a marathon. There will be times in which bursts of energy fill the air and everything is going well and then there are the moments when there are challenges that have to be faced before that next burst of energy. The thing to keep in mind is to have a sense of humor and, in a way, laugh your way through that challenge with your kiddo. By laughing your way through the challenges in life, it lifts your vibration; which then lifts the vibration of those around you and it makes for a happier life.

Don't compare yourself to others

Comparing yourself to others is like a poison to your soul. It doesn't do any good. In fact, it just digs you into a deep hole of feelings that you didn't need to venture into in the first place. Everyone was created differently and that's a good thing. Who would want to be exactly the same as someone else? I know I wouldn't. By living your true self and embracing all parts of your life, not only is it helping you become happier but you also encourage it in your child's life and it helps them be happier as well.

Playing is therapy

For kids with disabilities, playing is an important part of their life. Think about physical and occupational therapy, to adults it may just seem like you're paying for your child to play for an hour a couple of times a week, but there's more to it than that. Whether your child has a mental or physical disability it is important to encourage some sort of playing in their life. By playing, it not only takes their mind off things, but it also helps with their personal development.

Celebrate the small things

Every accomplishment in life might seem small to others but are huge for kids with disabilities. We don't learn like everyone else, we learn on our own clock even if it means we learn skills later than other kids. The important thing to do is celebrate and even brag when your child accomplishes a new task. I know for a fact that my family does and inside it makes me feel so excited which then motivates me to take on the next challenge.

You are a superhero

To me, I think that parents who have children with disabilities are superheroes. You guys are strong and brave to take on the challenges you deal with on a daily basis. It has to be stressful, scary, and even exhausting. You fight for us, you encourage us, and most importantly you never give up on us. Not a lot of parents can do or go through the different challenges that you go through and that's what makes you a superhero.

Learn to say "I love you too much to fight with you"

When parents raise kids with disabilities there's a certain level of stress that rises up within parents and mainly kids with mental illnesses or disabilities that they aren't aware of until things get heated. From what I experienced from my little sister, who suffered from mental illness before she passed, was that a person with a mental disability/ illness has to believe and think the things that we tell them that are true for themself before they will believe us. This was very hard for her and most of the time turned into fights between her and our parents. After she passed away, my mom and dad found the phrase "I love you too much to fight with you"  and use it to help other people have a better relationship with their struggling kid. When things end up getting heated between the two of you, don't try to fight back, just say " I love you too much to fight with you" and leave it at that until you are cooled down and can talk.

Mental health is more important than school

I recommend having a work/ life balance when your kids start going to school. Over the years since I started going to school, I watched as the time kids got to play with friends and socialize at school went from being almost 2 or so hours throughout the day, down to ten minutes throughout the day. It is insane how much it went downhill over the years. Kids these days are stressing over school because as they get into the higher grades they go to school all day and they have to do homework when they get home; which leaves them barely any playtime. They begin to get overwhelmed and if they fall behind that is just more stress that the school puts on until the kid gets caught up. No matter what, fight for your kid if things are not in their best interest and stick with a schedule starting school at a certain time and stopping at a certain time, even if the work is not completed. 

Being a parent of a disabled child is a gift

I didn't realize it until now, but my parents basically raised two kids with disabilities; mental with my sister and physical with me. I look at being a parent of a disabled child as being a gift. Yes, it is challenging, but people with disabilities look at the world in a different way that teaches others on a daily basis how to see the world from different perspectives and how to overcome challenges without allowing anything to get in their way.



Life is an amazing gift. By following these tips you can live a life that you want with your disabled child.