Parenting

5 Tips to Help Mom be at her best for her Child with Special Needs

Mother’s Day is here and every person has or has had a mom. Mom’s can be the superheroes in our stories and more often than not they are. Who worries about us, worships us and would lay down their lives for us? Our Moms. Who makes sure we are clothed, fed and loved? Our Moms. And who advocates for us when we can’t advocate for ourselves? Our Moms. And if you have a fill-in mom, whether it be a dad, aunt, grandma or cousin, then they get the Best Mom Award too.  But being a Mom comes with its challenges. And sometimes Mom’s need to know that they are just doing a great job. Here are a few tips to help Mom’s with Kids with Special Needs be their very best. Because after all, we all need our moms.

1. Trust Your Instincts

There is a plethora of information on how to raise children. How about your instincts? If you’re a mom, it’s your best line of defense. You know that small voice in your head. Don’t silence it. Listen to it. It can help you steer your child to the right school, right camp and just right upbringing. You have values. Use them. And once those values are clear and in place, listen to your gut. It is your right-hand man... or mom.

2. Take Time for Yourself

Give yourself a break already. Stop blaming and overworking yourself so much. Go for a walk. Take a yoga class. Go for coffee with some friends. Schedule it into your week. It will make you a better mom. That I can bet. Your children will learn balance as they see your hard work balanced with enjoyment. So grab that book, bike or go for a foot massage. You deserve it!

3. Listen

You’re not superman and your not supermom. But you are your kid’s mom. Stop for a few minutes. Stop Facebooking, emailing, cooking, driving carpool or cleaning. Stop and listen. Catch a glimpse of your child’s face and just hang out. You can go for a swing together, play catch or make something. But just listen. You may get a glimpse into your child’s world. You don’t have to always have solutions. Sometimes you can just lend an ear.

4. Fix It Later

Are you the fix it radar when your child walks into the room? Hair out of place? Clothes too messy? Homework not done? Manners not up to par? We all thrive with support and positive reinforcement. And sometimes we just need a smile and a “hello, it’s great to see you.” Take some of the pressure off yourself to fix your children, your spouse and yourself. They will be Okay. Even if it’s a rough time, have faith. Kids are quite resilient and if you let them out of the house with a messy shirt, no one who is important to you will care. Chances are, their kids left the house without brushing their teeth.

5. Advocate

With all said, you are your child’s best advocate. But teaching them to advocate for themselves is empowering both to them and to you. Even a nonverbal child can learn to communicate their needs. A child with motor challenges can put laundry into a basket. But most importantly your children can and will learn to advocate for themselves. And that is what will make you a great mom. Give your child wings and they will fly.