What We're Doing to Celebrate Dads of Kids With Disabilities
I will be the first to admit my husband is a better parent. He might argue we parent differently, and we each have our own strengths. Maybe. However, I have three kids who think their dad hangs the moon, and for good reason.
Dads have a way to make their children feel safe with their presence and strength. There is a reason you may hear little kids in the playground say, “My dad is stronger than yours!” Dads tend to be the first superheroes to their kids, and this is no different when a child has a disability.
While moms tend to get most of the attention when it comes to parenting, dads play an important and invaluable job, too. Dads, just like moms, cannot be replaced.
Dads can often feel an overwhelming pressure to provide for their families, and this can be heightened when a child has a disability. Perhaps they worry they do not spend enough time with their children as they go to work, or wonder if there is more they could do to help their children reach their full potential.
On this Father’s Day, we want to help you celebrate the wonderful dads in your life, and we have created free printables for you to let Dad know how much you appreciate him.
How Dad Helps Me When I Cannot Do Things Because of My Disability
How Dad Helps Me When I Feels Scared
How Dad Helps Me When I Feel Anxious
How Dad Makes Me Feel Important
How Dad ________. (blank card)
Banner image via Becky Davidson. Image of Jeff Davidson and son John Alex. Jeff Davidson was a champion for dads of children with disabilities and a Mighty contributor. His book, “Common Man, Extraordinary Call: Thriving as the Dad of a Child With Special Needs” will be available January 2019. You will always be remembered Jeff.
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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