Appreciate your calling as a mother. Appreciate that you are GOOD at it! Accept that it means you may not always be perfect at other things you might think you should do because you were meeting your ultimate call with such a full commitment.
Didn't get the vacuuming done? Left the dishes in the sink over night? Didn't make it to the gym? In regard to any of those little things nagging you...Ask yourself this: Is THAT your calling? Is THAT your purpose? In comparison to caring for your child who requires a little more care, is it that important? Pretty sure the answer is a resounding NO. You have been called to be a special needs mama! It is a beautiful call and you are good at it! RESPECT yourself for meeting your calling. Allow yourself to be imperfect at the other "stuff" and recognize that it is all it is... just stuff. Please? For me? Thanks, guys!!! xoxo
It has been quiet around here, hasn't it? I'm sorry about that. It is not for lack of inspiration, ideas, or stories to share. I simply got out of the habit. But I feel a sense of rejuvenation. I believe in kidz. I believe in the relationships I have been seen others build as a result of kidz and other similar sites. Most importantly, I believe in our kidz and US - us special needs parents who live and breathe this life and sometimes feel discouraged and need to hear that someone else has felt that way or an idea or thought someone else has had that lifts you up, even if for a moment.
This 'Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto' by Brene Brown, PhD. is one of those ideas/thoughts for me that helped me see myself and my situation with a little more clarity for a moment. It wasn't written with special needs parenting in mind, but I do think it is applicable in every possible way. Read it and soak up the message.
I'm glad I went to Brene Brown's site for one other reason: I found this book of hers, The Gifts of Imperfection, on the sidebar. Read the subtitle: 'Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You are.'
I think that is beautiful. It is one of my favorite parts of the manifesto as well... HAVE self-compassion and embrace your imperfections so you can TEACH your children to do so. Isn't that SO important? For every child and every parent, YES. For a special needs parent to teach their special needs child? Perhaps just that much more important.
So, yeah, I bought the book based solely on the subtitle.
And on that note, happy Monday, y'all! Make it a great week!!!
The very essence of this blog is wrapped up in these lyrics.
Honestly, what would we do without each other!?
I have seen special needs mothers/parents come together for the simplest of things, like where to buy onesies or which sunglasses will actually stay on.... to the most complicated and heartbreaking moments, like facing a grim prognosis or holding hands at a child's funeral.
It is devastatingly beautiful how much we need each other
and that we actually have each other to count on.
How Bad We Need Each Other
by Marc Scibilia
Life is too far to walk alone
You can't do it on your own
It's like bare hands digging through stone
And if things go down much steeper hills
Even money won't pay these bills
And time will show
That people gonna be ok
Storms never come to stay
They just show us
How bad we need each other
How bad we need each other
And the trials of today
They are signs along the way
To remind us how bad we need each other
How bad we need each other
You know I can get so high on myself sometimes
I keep on drifting a million miles from this planet
But what a shame it would be to look back on this life
And realize that I've taken you and you for granted
That people gonna be ok
Storms never come to stay
They just show us
How bad we need each other
How bad we need each other
And the trials of today
They are signs along the way
To remind us how bad we need each other
How bad we need each other
And I, I can't see what's a mile around the bend
I do not know where this world is headed or where it may end
We have walked these halls many times and are so thankful for the amazing staff at Primary Children's Medical Center. Mercy River and KSL recently teamed up to make this new video. It was so close to my heart...
It Might Be Hope by Mercy River
You do your work the best that you can you put one foot in front of the other life comes in waves and makes its demands you hold on as well as you’re able
You’ve been here for a long long time
Hope has a way of turning its face to you just when you least expect it you walk in a room you look out a window and something there leaves you breathless you say to yourself it’s been a while since I felt this but it feels like it might be hope
It’s hard to recall what blew out the flame it’s been dark since you can remember you talk it all through to find it a name as days go on by without number
You’ve been here for a long long time
Hope has a way of turning its face to you just when you least expect it you walk in a room you look out a window and something there leaves you breathless you say to yourself it’s been a while since I felt this but it feels like it might be hope
I read this book a few months ago. Of all the special needs books of
read that follow this pattern, this is my favorite.
A collection of
stories and experiences gathered by mothers and fathers, I felt that the
book was overall uplifting. The stories are organized thematically,
like many books similar to this. What was unique was a small
introduction to each chapter written by a professional (I believe
psychologist). He introduces the topic and how it applies to parents of
special needs children.
Another book getting a lot of attention and positive reviews: Optimistic Parenting.
I have a proposition. Let's revolutionize facebook and blog profiles to be more useful to those who love us if the time ever comes that we need a helping hand. This is not my idea, but a genius one from my dear friend, JeriDawn, a mother of 5 little princesses, incuding Mialee. I'll let her explain:
One night as I was laying in bed, saying my prayers, contemplating
life, not sleeping...I considered quite a few people. Some need lots of
help and others a little and some I'm not sure what they need. I like
to help people, but I have issues with how to help. So, it is my
proposal that blogger profiles and facebook profiles should be useful.
Really, who cares what kind of music you like? Or movies for that
matter? I need useful information...
Here is a little of what I think profiles should be about...
1.What
are some of your go-to snacks for kids? What are their favorite
things, the ones you always go back to, the ones that are always in your
cupboards? How about special treats?
2.If you have had "one of those days" what is your choice way of winding down? What are your favorite comfort foods?
3.Name 3 meals that your family will always eat...pizza? Lasagna? What fruits and veggies will your kids consume?
4.What is your idea of a night on the town? By yourself? With friends? Hubby? Where would you go? Restaurants?
5.Name
3-5 things that are considered "extras" for yourself. Things that you
always want, but feel like they aren't a necessity and tend to get swept
under the rug when your kids go through a growth spurt and suddenly
need 5 new pairs of pants.
6.If you could have a fairy-god-mother, what would she do for you?
Isn't this a wonderful idea?! We do all sorts of preparedness like fire drills, storm shelters, food storage, etc. Why not have information available to people for day-to-day emotional emergencies, those days when we are just down in the dumps, or more importantly if we have something major come up and really need some help. Wouldn't you love if all your facebook friends had this information available so you would know what to do for them instead of feeling helpless? And let's be honest, as a special needs parent the potential for needing a helping hand is a little higher than most. There is no shame in helping others know how to help you.
