15 Encouraging Tweets Parents of Kids With Disabilities Should Read on Tough Days
Being a parent is perhaps the hardest job I’ve ever had to do. When I became a parent of children with disabilities, I not only had the “typical” parenting dilemmas, I also had to deal with insurance, figuring out special education, IEPs and education laws (such as IDEA and FRAPE), finding providers and services in our area, as well as private therapies to help my kids.
Not to mention, I am a terrible housekeeper and the whole “what’s for dinner?” is one of my least favorite daily activities. Coming home from spending the day visiting different specialists or after days at a hospital, those everyday responsibilities can feel too heavy to carry.
If you parent kids — any kids, really — there will be days when you feel down and you might wonder how you can possibly “keep it together.” On those days, these might be statements you need to hear:
1.
Resist the urge to always explain yourself. Those who know you and love you won't require an explanation. Those who demand one will likely remain unconvinced regardless of what you have to say. Let your life be your defense.
— Michele Cushatt (@MicheleCushatt) December 2, 2017
2.
You aren’t alone. You aren’t abandoned. You aren’t disqualified and your story isn’t finished.
— Jud Wilhite (@JudWilhite) May 5, 2017
3.
I'm not okay. And that's okay to say friends. Maybe not to the world if you don't want to. But say it to someone.
— Gillian Marchenko (@GillianMarchenk) August 17, 2017
4.
In the world of disability, you will meet people who don't care or won't care. But you also get to meet so many people who lay down their lives for the sake of others, and go out of their way to brighten your child's life. #themightyparents
— Stephanie Hedden (@hedden4heaven) January 4, 2018
5.
#Autism #Specialneedsparenting Never underestimate your ability and strength. YOU are child's BEST advocate. Remember, you struggled yesterday and got back up. You can and will do so today as well.
— Mari Nosal M.Ed.CECE (@marimouth) November 15, 2017
6.
This world is full of pain, yes, but it's also full of beauty. Don't ignore either.
— Shannon Dingle (@ShannonDingle) September 20, 2017
7.
One of my new year resolutions is to spend more time and energy on me. I've realised I use so much of my energy on the kids & other people I empty too fast. I cant be good for my kids if I ain't good for me. So help me God. #SpecialNeedsParenting #Respite #Resolution2018
— christina mutena ???????? (@cmutena) January 2, 2018
8.
#Specialneedsparenting The kids I imagined became the child they were supposed to be. They became kids that I would embrace, love,& admire. I learned through them that every human on the planet has imperfections which represent our humanity & is not indicative of being broken.
— Mari Nosal M.Ed.CECE (@marimouth) December 12, 2017
9.
If you parent kids with disabilities and you're having a hard day, choose to focus on something good that has happened today, a way your child has made you smile or see the world in a new way. Change the narrative of your story, focus on the good. #parentingkidswithdisabilities
— Ellen Armendáriz Stumbo (@EllenStumbo) January 11, 2018
10.
You are not what you feel, you are not your thoughts, you are not what you have..you are not what you do or who you love or who loves you…You are underneath all these..You are YOU!
— Deepa Garwa (@Deepa_Garwa) January 9, 2018
11.
"We want the world to know us for us—for our strengths, quirks, spiritual gifts, personalities, and interests—not only in the context of one (albeit important) role as {special needs} parents." from Get Your Joy Back by Laurie Wallin
— Lisa Jamieson (@LisaMJamieson) January 10, 2018
12.
Don’t let pain keep you from going to deep places, from doing some work on your hurts so you can get on with the important business of living the rest of your life. #LoveLivesHere
— B&H Publishing (@BHpub) January 11, 2018
13.
Some of us have "longer path" kids. I'm one of them. It's a journey of learning, for them and for us. Not an easy one. But life is in the detours. And so are #growth, #determination, #compassion, #understanding, and most of all – #love. #kidswithissues #ParentingInTheTrenches https://t.co/My7yBhW3lN
— Ruth Kunstadter (@PathwaysRuth) January 14, 2018
14.
Words of encouragement from my 10 yr old after doing a horrible job trying to mend a blanket with a sewing machine. “It’s okay! You did your best.” #Encouragement
— Sausha (@SaushaFri) January 16, 2018
15.
Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you've ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were.#quote #motivation #success
— My Motivation (@mymotivation_uk) January 3, 2018
Ellen Stumbo is the founder of Disability Matters, an organization with the mission to encourage every church to embrace disability. Ellen is a national speaker who focuses on issues pertaining adoption, faith, disability and parenting kids with disabilities. Ellen writes for several online platforms including Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia, Group, The Mighty and the Huffington Post. Her writing also appears in several book anthologies. Ellen blogs at ellenstumbo.com and you can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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