As a parent of a child with Special Needs. I have found myself wondering at what point the all-consuming fear will stop. We are so often filled with fear of what is going to happen next. Each tiny step backward, we worry that it means the start of another out of control roller coaster ride.
School seems to be going well for my son at the moment. He’s made it to school every day since he started at his new school which is a huge improvement over last year. But there was that phone call, “Mrs. Petersen, D is having a hard time today He is refusing to do any work. Do you have any suggestions?
Immediately my mind goes to last year at his old school. Frequently he would refuse to participate or do any work. Half the time he refused to go to school. Are we starting down this road again?
It is hard not to live a life of fear. Be it medical issues, behavioral issues, school issues. . . Every blip on the radar makes you immediately go to worst case scenario.
After years of this I’m realizing that I can’t keep this up. I need to stop. Take a breath. Take each new day as it comes (maybe each moment). Fear isn’t a place to live.
Fear isn’t the desired destination.
I believe it’s going to take a while to retrain my thinking. I know I will need to give myself grace with my own special needs with anxiety. That alone can make me go to worst case scenario.
If you too have a child with Special Needs and struggle with this, I would invite you to join me. Let’s change our thinking. The worst may happen. But worrying about it isn’t going to help anyone. Let’s learn to take the “blips” in stride and leave tomorrow to worry about itself.
I try to remind myself that some days are better than others and that all I can do is my best.
Very true.
I think all parents have fears for their children and I am guilty of always thinking the worst will happen which often stops me enjoying the present time. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
Thanks for stopping by. I agree. I think many people can relate to this post. Even those without children.
I think you’ve got a good plan in place, retrain your mind to think differently to bring less stress into your life. Fingers crossed it works! Thank you forswearing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
Thank you. So far it does seem to be helping.
I don’t have a special needs child, but I can relate to the fears of “is this the beginning of going down the wrong path?” Mostly with behavior and heart issues in our house, because we all want the best for our children and to do the best job we can. I can only imagine how some of these fears are intensified when the child has special needs. I love your always honest words. Thank you for sharing with us at #LiveLifeWell.
Thank you for stopping by and reading. I appreciate it.
Oh I really relate to this – it is so easy to see a hundred bad things playing before our eyes when actually it often turns out to just be a momentary blip. Your new attitude of being kind and gracious to yourself is really important, though, and I hope that things continue to go well at the new school. #blogcrush
Thank you. It’s a work in prepress.
I do not have a child with special needs but I do have fears and the resultant anxiety. My biggest fear is exhaustion – exhaustion from doing the same things/chores/negative thought pattern daily, exhaustion from sending my child daily to school and the act of walking him to and from school no matter if I have the energy or not. On many a days, I want to take a break and let it be.
I know my situation is not a bigger issue as compared to yours and I wish you a lot of strength.
Thank you. I think we all have situations in our lives that we need to just let go of the worry and the frustration and just live in that moment.
I wish you all the courage and pray that you get all of it and move out from your fears. All the best.
Thank you.
Oh yes, I struggle with fear in how my future will work out because of my own chronic illness. And because of medications that I must take, the anxiety just gets bumped a notch too. So I agree, it is so important to turn our fears over to the Lord, and let Him change our default thinking. I’m thankful that He is so ready to come near to us and to help. Blessings to you this Thanksgiving Week.
Thank you for stopping in and reading my words. Chronic Illness is no fun. May you find peace.
It’s difficult enough just being a parent. Always on alert because this is the most important person in your world and it’s just so essential that no harm comes to them. And when it does, it hurts you as much as them. I can only imagine how much worse this must be for a parent of a kid who can have so many more of these dangers. #BlogCrush
Thanks for stopping in and reading. It does make things a just a little worse.
I agree, fear is never the place to live and Jesus knows all our needs whether it is medication or redirection, even discipline. Not only do children need it, adults have to disciple themselves no to go to panic and fear, but run to Jesus, He can break down walls we cannot, No believer in Him should have to live in fear or the walking on proverbial eggshells, afraid to speak or to be silent. His Spirit will say when to say when. I pray for all mothers going through struggles, that He gives grace, but also His peace.
Beautiful words. And I agree.