A beautiful FB post for SN parents!

mcarter127

I saw this link on a friends page & it made me cry. I can't figure out how to make it clicky from the iPad but hopefully you can just C&P the link. It's totally worth it!https://www.facebook.com/notes/kristina-smith-blizzard/a-few-feet-and-a-world-apart/10150154778344406

Assembly_Reqd

I would say this FB post is more for a "typical" parent audience. We're the choir. We already know that song.

It is nice she is getting a support group together though and nice of you to think some of us would benefit from it.

mcarter127

My son actually does have special needs & when I read it I felt like it validated all the feelings that I've had in the last 20 months. I thought other parents might feel that way as well. In my experience "typical" parents frequently don't get it. I'm sorry, I really wasn't trying to offend anyone, maybe I'm not in the right place.

Assembly_Reqd

I wasn't saying you shouldn't feel validated by it at all. I guess based on the title I was expecting something else. Sorry you took it as snark. I just think that particular message should be read by a wider audience than SN moms who already "get it".

nomadica

Thank you, OP. I read it and it made me tear up. I'm still new to life with a child with special needs, and it always feels good to hear from other SN moms and know that my feelings are "normal" (I hate that word now) and understood by some people out there. I especially liked what she said about the invaluable lessons she has been taught in patience, gratitude, etc.

mcarter127

I didn't take it as snark at all, just thought you were upset with me for posting it here. It's always hard to tell on here. I agree that it needs to be heard by a much wider audience, unfortunately the people that need to hear it would never open it anyways!

Assembly_Reqd

mcarter127:

unfortunately the people that need to hear it would never open it anyways!

 

soooo true.

Justinlove

I'm torn.  Part of me agrees with the post, but another part of me feels that giving excuses is not always in our kids' best interests. 

I agree with her that it is great that her kid can vocalize considering the difficulties, but another part of me feels she is doing her child a disservice by not teaching her child appropriate and acceptable vocal levels. 

I agree that it is hard for an ADHD/autistic child to stay quietly seated during a presentation, but part of me feels that it is rude to ruin the experiences of the other patrons just to suit your child's behaviors.  Maybe a better choice is to choose actvities that your child can attend to.

I agree that yard service isn't a high priority, but another part of me feels that you can always hire someone to do that for you so that you do not allow your yard to become an eye sore to the neighbors (it honestly doesn't take that long to mow the yard).

I agree that some people are not real friends---but friendship is a two-way street and having a SN child does not exempt you from also being a good friend.  You cannot just expect to receive without giving back.

I guess my point is that I feel that some people are very apt to use SN as an excuse for everything and that really bothers me.  Of course there are going to be ignorant people out there, and they will always stare/judge, etc.  But there are also social norms that we should strive to maintain even with a SN child and excusing all of that away is not healthy either and you can end up isolating yourself. 

mcarter127

Those are very good points, I didn't even see it in that light until you brought it up! It effected me more because DS had an NG tube up until a few months ago & I could definitely relate to the stares & ridiculous comments people make. I definitely think we do need to have high expectations for our kids cause if we just make an excuse for every behavior they'll never move past it!