Parenting Special Needs Podcast

3 Moms share about navigating transitions with their child [Click to Listen to Podcast] On today’s podcast, 3 Moms share about navigating transitions with their child The moms shared about going from preschool to a mainstream class, about putting her son in a residential home, while a third mom explained to us the “transitioning” from high school to a vocational day program. I asked them to share exactly how they did it and to please make sure they included any challenges or tips that may help others.   Erin Harris is our first guest   [0:00 to 9:49] Erin shares two transition tips she learned and we can all benefit by putting her tips into our child’s transitions.   Our Next Mom is PJ [9:49 to 17:49] Paige Jennifer (PJ) Nein and her husband have been together for 40 years and have five children: One Biological child, three adopted children with special needs, and they are helping to raise their friend’s daughter.   Related: Improving Transitions: When it’s Time to Change, You’ve Got to Rearrange   The last mom I spoke with was Sandra Cariker  [17:49 to 01:12:02]  Her 13-year-old son, Nathan, has an intellectual disability and epilepsy. He also struggles with behavior issues. Sandra shares about putting Nathan in a residential placement at the age of 10 and feeling like it was the only option available to be able to help Nathan on a long-term basis. I am sharing our entire conversation, although long because I think it is worth listening to (put in your earbuds and listen when you’re cooking dinner, exercising or taking a walk). There is something to learn from every experience and to understand what others might be dealing with based on their child and where they live.   Related: Transitions Your Child Will Need to Handle   What were your takeaways? Anything to Add? Leave me a comment about what you learned from this podcast (or any of our podcasts). I might give you a shout-out in the next episode.  

Fresh Meals made easier with: Laura Fuentes, Founder of MOMables [Click to Listen to Podcast] Do you struggle with planning healthy meals? Fresh Meals made easier with: Laura Fuentes, Founder of MOMables (momables.com) is also the author of four cookbooks, has competed and won on Food Network, has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America,. She’s going to share her expertise with us, provide tips, and help us out.     Latest cookbook The latest cookbook from MOMables is called The Taco Tuesday Cookbook. Because, after all, who doesn’t like tacos? Taco night is just an example of how moms, parents, and caregivers can make one family meal that doesn’t need to be elaborate. No more short order cooks…just family food. And whether you’re struggling with lunches or snacks or dinner, there is a book for you.   Links mentioned in this episode: The Best Homemade Kids’ Lunches on the Planet The Best Homemade Snacks on the Planet The Best Grain-Free Family Meals on the Planet The Taco Tuesday Cookbook Momables.com Meal Plans (Classic recommended in the podcast) Picky Eater  Family KickStart Program Budget-Friendly Program   This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, could receive a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support.

#23: Be Inspired, Dream Big with John Tucker and Rachel Osterbach  [Click to Listen to Podcast] In today’s podcast, visit with lead cast members John Tucker and Rachel Osterbach from the EMMY winning A&E Television Series “Born This Way”!!!   In case you’re not familiar with the show, “Born This Way” follows a group of seven young adults born with Down syndrome. Together, they pursue their passions, their lifelong dreams, explore friendships, romantic relationships and work, all while defying society’s expectations. Their willingness and courage to openly share their lives, through a lens that is not often shown on television, is admirable and we learn they have high hopes just like anyone else. The series also gives voice to the parents by allowing them to talk about the joy their son or daughter brings to their family, and the challenges they face in helping them live as independently as possible. “Born This Way” is in its 4th season. John and Rachel actually made EMMY history last year by being the first individuals with Down syndrome to present an award at the televised Emmys.   And, we’re making a little history of our own here at Parenting Special Needs Magazine by featuring these Celebrities on our Cover!!!     I had the pleasure of speaking with John and Rachel to find out how they feel about being a “TV celebrity”, and to find out some of their personal aspirations and how they’re working to achieve them.     I also asked them for their thoughts on being a Role Models and the message they want others to hear.     Sean McElwee, unfortunately, had a family emergency and was unable to be interviewed live, but he also shared with us in our article: “Born this Way”, Paving the way.   Below, is a video featuring Sean.   I want to share a personal experience from watching the show…one that caught me off-guard. “Born This Way” is definitely having an impact and I witnessed, first hand, the impact these ROLE MODELS are having on others. I was watching a few of the shows to prepare some interview questions and I asked my daughter, Kailee, to watch a couple of episodes with me. When the show was over, Kailee looked at me (with all seriousness) and said, “You know, Mom, I think I could live in an apartment with my friends!!!” Inside, my heart beamed as I realized what had just happened. She was inspired. And, I said, “Yes, you could! It is definitely something to work towards.” What also struck a chord in me is that the parents featured in the show are role models/mentors for us (the parents) as well. We can learn from them as they help pave the way and help their children to pursue their dreams and live as independently as possible. Listen to the podcast, be inspired, and hear for yourself their enthusiasm and excitement. Takeaways to keep the top of mind: John said: Don’t give up on those dreams because you don’t know when they will come. Rachel said: Anybody can reach their goals and their Dreams. All you have to do is just be yourself and follow your heart.   Links mentioned in this episode: Born This Way:  John Tucker’s “Shake Your Booty” Music Video Born This Way A&E TV Shows “Born The Way” is paving the way!   This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC,

Art Therapy: What it is and isn’t [Click to Listen to Podcast] Today we’re talking with Raquel Farrell-Kirk, MS, ATR-BC about art therapy: What it is and isn’t. Raquel has been a professional art therapist for 17 years. She’s worked in a variety of settings where art therapy can be found; in psychiatric settings, outpatients, also in educational settings with children with special needs.   Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the arts, art-making, and the creative process as the core of how we do our therapy. It is how we affect change, how we treat clients and explore their issues and give them new skills. We do that all through art and art-making.   Read More: Anxiety in Children and Adolescents       Related: Ready, Set, Paint! Art Therapy at Home How can art therapy be used in the aftermath of a traumatic event like the shooting at Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School? What was the goal of art therapy for that purpose? At that time? In the immediate aftermath of an event like that, you are really doing a lot of support. You’re not really trying to unpack details or ask people to rehash details. You’re doing a lot of support, a lot of psychoeducational approaches and implementing some coping skills: “Here are some things to do when you feel overwhelmed” type of things. We did a lot of things like open and close our sessions with deep breathing, with information on trauma and stress, and we did a lot of art activities designed to give people some flexibility. As an example, we worked on mandalas (an ancient practice). Mandalas are a very intricate pattern, usually contained within a circle. It’s used for meditation. Coloring and drawing a mandala can be very relaxing. We would try to do activities like that so that we were giving people a place to come for some respite; a place to come and not be alone; a place to come and get some information and to do an art activity that would help bring those anxiety levels down and bring people in the community together in one place. How do I find an art therapist? If you are already seeing another mental health professional, you can ask them if they know art therapists in the area. Most states have an art therapy chapter. For example, where I live in Florida, we have the Florida Art Therapy Association. They all have websites and Facebook pages so you can look up (Google) art therapy associations wherever you live. You can also go to the American Art Therapy Association (arttherapy.org) website and they have a locator function on their site where you can find a therapist in your area. In Conclusion: Final Message   Art Therapy is about the process and self-expression. And, it’s also about the freedom to explore. It is NOT about what it looks like. Racquel’s easy challenge Go to the art museum and look at all of the different things in there. You don’t have to go there with answers and knowledge in your head. Go there together with your child and say, “Let’s go look and see what we like. And if you find one thing that you like, then talk about why you like it.” It is that simple to do. There’s no need to feel intimidated by art or to feel intimidated by how you choose to bring that into your child’s life. Links mentioned in this episode: American Art Therapy Association

How to delegate your to-do list to your kids. [Click to Listen to Podcast] In today’s conversation, we’re going to talk about delegating your to-do list to your kids. If we want to raise our kids to be thriving adults, then we will need to start teaching them key responsibilities. And chores can be a perfect way to do it. I   Don’t expect perfection, it’s “practice makes perfect”  Remember to do the following when you teach your children to do chores: * What exactly does the chore entail * Demonstrate how to do it * The proper steps to follow * How to tell when the chore is done Remind them (and yourself) that they won’t be good at it the first time, but as they keep doing it they’ll get better with practice.   In Conclusion: Final Message   So, when you’re successful in delegating and teaching your kids key responsibilities they can do for themselves, not only are you helping them to thrive and be independent adults but, you are also actually taking tasks off of your own to do list!! Dr. G’s challenge I want to pass on Dr. Gibola’s challenge to each of you: Pick one thing you do for your child and teach them how to do it for themselves. Links mentioned in this episode: Positive Parenting Conference Dr. Deborah Gilboa, MD Why chores are good for your kids — And how to get them to do them?   This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, could receive a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support.

Making a Difference | Peaceful Fruits: Paving The Way for Socially Good Partnerships [Click to Listen to Podcast] In today’s conversation, I am speaking with Evan Delahanty, the Founder, and CEO of Peaceful Fruits, a socially good, snack startup that employs people with disabilities to make healthy, delicious, and rainforest-friendly fruit snacks.           In conclusion: Evan’s Final Message   The reality is that there really aren’t enough opportunities out there for this population and the jobs that are available aren’t always fulfilling. Most employees want to be part of something meaningful and Peaceful Fruits wants to create an environment where these folks can be part of a dynamic team and company that is always growing and changing. An environment in which they, too, can grow within it, learning any and all aspects of the company, and taking on as much responsibility as they desire. If you have a job that needs to get done, consider calling your local nonprofit center. Links mentioned in this episode: Peacefulfruits.com Blickcenter.org This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, could receive a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support.     Person-Ventured Entrepreneurship: What Do You Know About Entrepreneurship Shining a Light on Sunflower Bakery Presented by Bus 52 Proud Moments: Matthew Shifrin Inspiring Lego for the Blind Helpful Articles * Person-Ventured Entrepreneurship: What Do You Know About Entrepreneurship * Where to Go if Your Child Needs a Job or Help with Post High School Education * Parenting Your Young Adult Through Their First Employment Experiences * What Employers Can Do for Employees Whose Children Have Special Needs * Embracing Your Child’s Best Ways of Learning 12 Different Ways to Learn * Group Homes: Can My Experience Help You? * Financial Planning: For Those Who Are at the Starting Line * Help Your Elementary School Youngster Learn About Work *

Lessons Learned | How to win the special needs marathon with no training Raising a child with special needs is very much like running a marathon. [Click to Listen to Podcast] In today’s conversation, I am speaking with Adriene Fern, a special-needs mom, who wrote a personal essay about how raising a child with autism is like running a marathon, but a marathon she didn’t sign up for. As Adriene says, “Participation in her particular 26.2-mile event required even more endurance than the average “athlete” needs these days.” Since Adriene is just about to “cross the finish line” of her marathon race, I asked her to “coach us” by sharing what she’s learned on various mile markers along the way. She talks about the challenges throughout the course we should be aware of and specific GPS routes or tracks she thought could help us in running our own marathon races.     Highlights of the Podcast: • Gaining the best results for “running miles 1-8” (years one through eight). • The biggest lesson learned during “miles 12-20.” • Our experience with Public vs. Private Schools • How did she deal with financial hardships and the high cost of services? • What recent purchase of a $100 or less most positively impacted her life? • A Back-to-School tip that parents can implement now. • The biggest struggle she dealt with raising your son, and what is struggling with now? “Raising a child with special needs is a full-time job in addition to raising a child who is typically developing.This is something you’re not prepared for. So you’re going on this marathon without any training and no coaches, and no one’s telling you how to run the marathon. So you have to figure it all out yourself.” ~Adriene Fern Don’t Miss these GREAT TIPS she shared in this podcast! •>> A well-hidden secret!! •>> Neuro-Psych tests & Insurance •>> Therapist tip about your child learning to ride a bike •>> Regardless of disability, every child needs this skill for life. •>> Speaking the Truth • >>Chip in gifts   Links & Books mentioned in this episode: Palm Beach School for Autism The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) Medicaid Wavier.org Birthday Party (Lou Knows What to Do) Lou Knows What to Do: Special Diet Lou Knows What to Do: Supermarket This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, could receive a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support.

Back-To-School | Special Education: The Pros and Cons of Public vs. Private School Parents and Professionals share their experiences and perspective on the pros and cons of Public School vs. Private School Education [Click to Listen to Podcast] In today’s conversation, we’re discussing the topic of “Special Education: The Pros and Cons of Public vs. Private School.” Many of our children have to attend BOTH public and private schools throughout their education. Knowing some of the pros or cons in advance may prove helpful. One of the hardest decisions any parent can make is where to send their child to school. Having a special needs child makes the decision even more crucial, as you will have many issues that other parents may not have to think about. We have broken down the pros and cons of each option in the article. However, we thought it would be essential to hear from both parents and professional in this podcast in order to gain insight from their experiences. Who we are talking with… Our first guest is Adriene Fern, a special-needs mom who wrote a personal essay in this issue about how raising a child with autism is like running a marathon, but a marathon she didn’t sign up for. Adriene and I also have a more in-depth conversation that we will share in next week’s podcast. Nicole Bovell is a longtime advocate of the special education community and the author of “How to Have a Great School Year” and “The Journey of Special Education.” We spoke to her in Episode #16 about how to close out summer and ways to prepare for the coming new school year. Nicole shared some great tips and you can listen here. Chantai Snellgrove, yes, I share how I wish someone could have provided this kind of guidance when my daughter was younger. I share our personal experience with both public and private schools. Linda Allen, Founder of Make your Mark Learning Center, shares her experience as a tutor who tutors, works with, and mentors students from both public and private schools. She is also involved with the IEP process by working with her students that are receiving special education services.   “There’s a way to make it work in any setting that works for both parent and student.”   Highlights of the Podcast: * Know what programs and services are available * Public School, Private School, Home Schooling are there other options? * A major difference in services, supports, and accommodations * Who gets a bad rap most often? * Pay attention to the details and surroundings in the school setting that may have an impact on your child’s learning?   “Remember: The public schools are required by law to follow the law.”   More Parents Perspectives: Public vs. Private: Lindy Lee: Our Experience The Lee’s, an intercultural family with two special needs children living with Autism and Anxiety in Ann Arbor, Michigan, share their experience. Schyla Crown: Our Experience Our 12-year-old attended a public head start program at age four. Her teacher was able to “reach” her and even had her ahead of her class when she started kindergarten. However…  

Back-To-School | Family-School Collaboration focusing on quality of life for all [Click to Listen to Podcast] In this episode, Meme Heineman and Kimberli Breen, will be discussing Home and School Collaboration with regard to supporting student behavior.     Part of positive behavior support, which is a multi-tiered model of response to intervention on home and school collaboration, is described in more detail in the article ” Improving Student Behavior by Getting on the Same Page.” We believe that it will be useful for both families and educators who are working together to improve positive behavior support.   Kim shares a wealth of insight into ways to work together. Using Kim’s own words, “She keeps it all as simple as possible so that it is doable.” A quick introduction to Meme Heineman, Ph.D. Special Education: She has been sharing her knowledge with Parenting Special Needs Magazine for over nine years. Meme is nationally certified as a behavior analyst, she has published a variety of articles, and three books including “Parenting with Positive Behavior Support: A Practical Guide to Resolving Your Child’s Difficult Behavior.” Meme RECENTLY developed a comprehensive, self-directed program that guides parents and other family members to design and implement function-based strategies that can be used within typical routines. It incorporates videos and curriculum that parents can NOW access necessary training from their hand-held device or computer on their own time. The program offered is a perfect compliment to in-home or clinic-based behavioral services. It may also be beneficial for families who are awaiting services, or who are ineligible for services and are struggling to address their children’s behavior during valued family routines. Tune to what Kim had to say…   Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: •  Ways to keep the communication door open •  FOCUS on what will aid everyone •  What kind of coordination Kim needed to work out •  How the Hippocratic Oath “DO NO HARM” applies •  Common challenges between home and school that need to be overcome •  No two children are the same; schools need to be mindful that NO TWO families are the same either •  Understanding the benefits of working together as a TEAM     Links: Positive Behavior Support for Parents Program Special Issue: Positive Behavior Support in Family Routines: Proven Strategies Know Your Rights in the IEP Process: What Do those Procedural Safeguards Really Mean?     This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, could receive a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support. Subscribe to our free email newsletter now to access our free magazine!johnsmith@example.comJohnSmithSubmitForm is being submitted, please wait a bit.Please fill out all required fields.

How To Close Out Summer And Prepare For The New School Year [Click to Listen to Podcast] In this episode, we’re talking with our guest, Nicole Bovell. She is a longtime advocate of the special education community and the author of How to Have a Great School Year and The Journey of Special Education. Nicole has her Masters of Arts in Special Education, an Education Specialist degree in Teaching and Learning and twenty years of experience teaching and working with students who have a variety of disabilities. I reached out to Nicole to have a conversation because I LOVED her book “How to have a Great School Year!” It was short, easy to read, easy to follow, and provides helpful tips throughout. ANOTHER HUGE PLUS (to me)… the entire book is only 50 pages! Full disclosure: I am not being paid to promote her book.  It came to me unsolicited to check-out as many authors do… but as I read it I thought, “This book was too helpful not to share with you all.” I will include it as an affiliate link now…because I am recommending it now.   “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.” ~ Mark Twain   In our conversation, I asked Nicole what she thought were the three most important steps parents could take to close out summer and prepare for the new school year. Tune in to what she had to say:   Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: • #1 Tip for starting the school year off on the right footing • Ways to help prepare your child for the new school year • The difference between accommodations and modifications •  Nicole shares her experience with the pros and cons of public vs private school settings •  Steps you can take right now that will make a huge difference for having a great school year Links: Beyond Special Education Is It PLEP Or PLOP? for Present Level of Performance Progress Report-Reality Check Establishing Routines at Bedtime Know Your Rights in the IEP Process: What Do those Procedural Safeguards Really Mean?     This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, could receive a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support. Other ways to enjoy this post  Download a Transcript  or   Download on iTunes Subscribe to our free email newsletter now to access our free magazine!johnsmith@example.comJohnSmithSubmitForm is being submitted, please wait a bit.Please fill out all required fields.

Are you stuck in Survival Mode? Feel Beautiful and Alive Again: Discover how to rejuvenate your body In this episode, we’re talking with our guest, Leslie Gjonbalaj. She’s a registered dietitian, rejuvenation and weight loss coach that specializes in helping women who have been through a challenging time. She believes in a rejuvenation approach vs. deprivation approach to eating, living and feeling beautiful again. [Click to Listen to Podcast] Perhaps you simply feel like you have been operating in survival mode; has your life shifted you into survival mode in order to face (and get through) challenges and transitions? Have you forgotten about yourself…your own needs…your own self-care? Have you sacrificed enough? Can YOU relate to any of this? If so, you’re in luck because today’s guest, Leslie G (“G” for short), is going to share how she figured it all out, found freedom from food, and lost (and kept off) 30 pounds through her rejuvenation approach…not deprivation. Let’s face it: You don’t need one more thing in your life that has you depriving yourself and doing without. You need to replenish. Leslie shares some of her strategies that will not only make a big, permanent, difference but feel natural and easy to do. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:  * Why a Rejuvenation Approach and NOT deprivation? * How can you rejuvenate and lose weight? * How your past can keep you stuck. * Introduction to Conscious Eating Conscious Eating is NOT… (brief list) * A diet plan or menu plan * About counting calories and points (Isn’t that exhausting?) * A list of “fattening” foods or sample meals, or foods you “should” or “shouldn’t” eat. * Exercise as a means of weight control – exercising to keep calories “burned off” or the practice of overeating and then relying on exercise to get rid of the calories. This will only work temporarily and will, more often than not, lead to failure. Conscious eating IS… (brief list) * Learning how to listen to the inherent wisdom of the body * Learning how to eat only when you are hungry and stopping when you are comfortable. * An opportunity for you to melt into your natural shape at a pace which is natural for your body – and it keeps you there. * The process of eliminating mind interference and giving your body the chance to express its natural potential.     Why rejuvenation tactics work better and are more enjoyable: -It’s more natural. -It rejuvenates the body. -It activates the body’s healing response. -It’s enjoyable and sustainable.   Important distinctions – trying to change vs. turning attention to the present – listening to the mind vs. listening to your hunger level   Common ways the past pops up: – Past experiences – distinguishing whether the past is driving your choices and what you actually want/need in the present moment – Automatic reactions – “It’s 6 pm, it’s dinnertime! (although you’re not hungry), “It’s after dinner, it must be time for dessert!” – Past ideas – “Mom says clean your plate!” or “You MUST eat breakfast!” – Past failures – “I’ve tried so many times! I’m a failure,” or “I really blew it again!”   How to deal with the past: – The art and science of practicing “amnesia” and making decisions based on the present. The good news is, you can retrain your body and mind to see the choices you do have by practicing conscious eating habits that get you out of your head and into your body’s knowing.   Links mentioned in this episode: Eating and Living Awareness.

In this episode, we’re talking about the “forgotten” part of parenting a child with special needs. In case you’re wondering what the “forgotten part” is….it is YOU. [Click to Listen to Podcast] Every year around this time of year, I feel obliged to remind parents to take care of themselves: To make sure they put their name at the top of their to-do list and schedule doctors appointments. Remember, there are five life-saving tests to remember to have done. A dear friend of mine (who also happens to be a warrior mama, and whom we jokingly refer to as “Wonder Woman”) recently sent me a message saying, “Wonder Woman is having some health issues and thinks her superpowers may have burnt out!” This kinda of hit me hard… and made pause with concern, for my friend, myself and many of us that are in similar situations… we all think we can keep going and going…, but it eventually catches up with us. In this episode I share a few lessons I learned that I also need to relearn and a few things to try: • Remember to look up • Pay attention to where you are • What is and How to take a Gratitude Walk • A simple technique to reduce anxiety using your five senses.   Related: Seven Ways to Celebrate Being A Special Needs Parent   Calm and relaxation technique using: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Start by taking a deep breath to begin… 5-Look: Look around for five things you can SEE, and then say them out loud, for example, you could say your computer screen, picture frame, cup, etc. 4- Feel: Name four things that you can FEEL (touch) and say them out loud: My leg; my hand; my phone; my hair, etc… If possible, touch them as you say them. 3-Listen: Listen for three SOUNDS. It could be a bird chirping, a plane overhead, or background music. 2-Smell: Say two things you can SMELL (assuming you can sniff something). If you can’t smell them right now, then just name your two favorite smells like a gardenia bush or a fresh cut lemon. 1- Taste: Say one thing you can TASTE: Coffee, ripe strawberry, etc… If you can’t taste anything right now, then just say your favorite thing to taste.   Links: 5 Lifesaving Tests for Women Handling Your Child’s Diagnosis: Six Things Parents Should Do For Themselves Stress-Busting Strategies to Get You to Super Health     Sources: Positive Psychology Program/Gratitude Excercise    

In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Sumner. Jamie is an author, blogger, and special needs mom. We’re talking with her today about her new book, “UNBOUND” wherein she shares her journey to motherhood and how she and her husband fought infertility for two years before seeking medical intervention. She has a son diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and cerebral palsy as well as twins: one boy and one girl. [Click to Listen to Podcast] I love Jamie’s quote: In looking back over our life which might appear to be a tangled web of chaos, we might actually see that it is a safety net provided by God “UNBOUND” honestly discusses the expectations vs. reality of being a mother, but particularly focuses on the freedom you can finally feel when you stop trying to fit into everybody else’s version of motherhood. Jamie takes us all on her journey of faith, hope, determination, and courage. Her personal stories, interwoven with women from the Bible, allows us to understand how our own “paths” and struggles are similar to theirs. She does so with quick wit, clever insight and a true sense of understanding that, at the heart of it all, God is in control. One theme of her book is to “Stay in the Present and appreciate the moments of your life”.         (Click on the image to read Jamie’s post) In this episode Jamie shares the following: * Her expectations before becoming a mother. * When the reality did not meet those expectations… * How to stay hopeful as you parent your child with special needs. * The biggest lesson learned in hindsight that she would like to tell new parents as they navigate their role as an advocate for their child. * Unexpected blessings in your parenting journey. * Her biggest takeaway for parents of special needs children from her book.     Related: Why Me? Why My Child? Wisdom Found in the “Hero’s Journey”   Links: Jamie Sumner blog: mom-gene.com Unbound: Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome 5 Beautiful Mother’s Day Quotes When God Made Special Need Mothers he added a few extra ingredients! 5 Mother’s Day Tips For Parents of Children with Special Needs   This post contains affiliate links, which means Parenting Special Needs LLC, receives a commission if you purchase using this link. We appreciate your support. Help us to Help You! If you found this podcast helpful, let us know and leave a comment. Please share it and spread the word.  

Let’s talk about…SEX EDUCATION Why? Because there are a few things, parents of children with special needs need to know… because we also know our children are vulnerable. But they are...

  Today, I am talking with you about Advocating: What you need to know to become a better advocate [Click to Listen to Podcast] As I like to say,… “Becoming...