6 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP A SPECIAL FAMILY TODAY!!

Good morning!

Here's a little collage to show you how our morning here went. 

Before you even get up the stairs the smell hits you. 

I won't go into details, (You're welcome) but trust me when I say,

it took two hours to clean up, two pairs of gloves and three loads of laundry.

And so, at the end of the mess, we had frozen waffles. 

When you see that collage what comes to mind? 

Other than the fact that we clearly shop at Wal-Mart. 

hahaha

Everytime something like this comes up, which is 4 or 5 days a week, I am GRATEFUL!!! 

Grateful that my husband is a stay at home dad. 

Grateful that we found a diaper company. 

Grateful for family members that understand and are supportive. 

Grateful for therapists and drs that work with us to help us understand.

But it occurs to me that there are families that haven't yet found these resources. 

You may not even know these things exist! 

Well, Buckle up buttercup. 

This is gonna be a fun blog. 

At the end of it, you will have new resources to call on, and a list of things that you can do (or let be done) to help! 

*****BE UNDERSTANDING*****

We don't expect you to change our 9yr olds grossness. 

But it would be amazing if you just listened to us gripe, and said something along the lines of, "You're doing great."

*****SUPPORT OUR OTHER CHILDREN*****

Having a special needs sibling is amazing. 

Your other children will learn patience, love, understanding, how to have a sense of humor in the muck, responsibility, sensitivity...

I could go on and on. 

But it's also hard. 

Being the self-control for someone else is exhausting. 

Sometimes ALL the conversations at home center around the needs of the sibling.

Give our other children attention. 

Listen if they want to talk about the muck at home.

Let them be silly and only responsible for themselves. 

*****BRING A MEAL*****

My kids are weird. 

They insist on eating AT LEAST 3 times a day. 

That doesn't include snacks and bribes for sitting on the potty! 

If you offer to bring a meal, I can almost guarantee we will say, 

"Oh thank you, but we're good!"

Instead try, "We're going to bring a meal, what day would be best for you?"

Bring Kleenex if you atttempt this one. 

*****WATCH OUR  SPECIAL KIDS*****

I realize that you are intimidated. 

Maybe the repetitive noises, or tubes, or big kid pants are scary.

But you could come and watch them during quiet time, or watch them at the park. 

Even sitting with them while they sleep, just so that we can "turn off" for a few hours would be amazing!! 

This can be as easy as walking with them in the hall at church, or sitting with them in the waiting room while we speak with the dr.

*****GET CERTIFIED TO SUPPORT*****

To be a foster parent there are LOTS of certifications required, but to support a foster parent is easy. 

We have to re-up many of our certifications every year. It would be fun to have a study buddy! 

If you are CPR certified you can have a background check run and provide respite!
("Respite" is Social Worker speak for babysitting) 
Most Firehouses provide CPR training for a little fee. 

*****HELP WITH HOUSEHOLD*****

You would be shocked at the amount of laundry that special needs families go through!

Loading everyone up and "running into the store" is sometimes an insurmountable task!
Offering to help with those every day tasks will make you the HERO!

DID YOU KNOW?

Children over 5yrs that still need diapers are eligible for "medically supplied diapers?

Epic Medical Solutions is who we use.
They send diapers, underpads, gloves, cleanser, etc. EVERY month.

 TEAM SELECT helps parents and caregivers get CNA certified, then you get paid to give your child the best care!!

We have therapists that COME TO OUR HOME to provide therapy.

Foster and Adoption agencies like Kids Crossing
are great about gathering information and places you can find support.

Stores like The Autism Store are great about offering workshops and play dates!