What I Want All Special Needs Moms to Know on Mother's Day

I am a mom to not one, but two beautiful kids with special needs. Being a mom is great on its own, but being a special needs mom doesn’t just mean being a mom. It also means…

Being an advocate.

Being a therapist.

Being a teacher.

Being a researcher of diagnoses and diseases.

Being an IEP professional.

Being a driver to therapies and specialist appointments.

Carrying around medical evaluations and records because you never know when you are going to need them.

Having your heart break while watching your child go through tests, procedures and surgeries.

Being so exhausted your body literally aches at the end of each day.

But despite all of that, being a special needs mom is so rewarding. Mother’s Day means more to me because of all the things I get to see and experience, like…

Celebrating each and every word learned.

Hearing how your child is progressing in therapy.

Getting to work with amazing therapists who love your child and want the best for him or her.

Hearing your speech-delayed child say “I love you” for the first time.

Watching your child ride a bike while knowing that months earlier it was an impossible task.

Seeing your adverse child eat something new for the first time.

Hearing the good news that your child is finally gaining weight after months of weight checks and hospital visits.

Seeing your child meet milestones they weren’t meeting before, all thanks to therapy and your hard work.

Having them be your heroes because they never give up.

So if you’re a special needs mom, here’s what I want you to know this Mother’s Day:

You are special.

You are loved.

You matter.

You are a hero.

No matter what you go through, you keep on going. I admire you, your children admire you and one day they will thank you for all you’ve done. Don’t give up. You are a good enough mother. You are always good enough for your children.

A version of this post originally appeared on Singing Through the Rain.

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