Our Content
Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
How to Keep it Together: A Guide
June 21, 2019
First disclaimer, I am one person. I’m a parent, and I’m a provider. [Image Description: An image of a black, drawn triangle. At the top of the image are the words “PICK TWO” in all caps. On top of the triangle are the words “your sanity” in red with a smiley face above them. On…
Read moreA Note to Caregivers Making Tough Choices
May 13, 2019
Dear Mom/Dad/Grandparent/Aunt/Uncle doing the thing the other caregivers are not, Hi. I’m a mom. (I’m other things, too, but for the purpose of this letter, I’m a mom.) I’m writing because I see you, and I want you to know you’re strong. I recognize in your quiet presence that maybe you chose a different route…
Read moreWho Has Time for Respite, Anyway?
April 30, 2019
If you’re reading this and your children are no longer babies, you may look back and think, “How did I do that on such little sleep?” When your kids were not yet in school but you were at work all day, how did you manage to get groceries, make dinner ,and keep the kids clean…
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“I’m {still} fine.”
March 6, 2019
Last year, I posted this blog for Exceptional Lives. Today, I appreciated the reminder. My wish for you is that you take this time to pause and reflect. Even if just for a moment, step back and notice what your day looks like, what your child is able to accomplish or enjoy and how you…
Read more5 Tips for Family Members: How to Avoid Unnecessary Stress at Family Gatherings
November 7, 2018
Holidays are a time for family and gratitude. For family members who we see only a few times a year, it can be hard for them to understand our unique experiences as parents of children with disabilities – and it can be easy for them to make judgment on us, our relationships with our children,…
Read moreHow to Take Care of Yourself
October 29, 2018
Caring for a child with a disability can be a fulfilling experience. It can also be challenging and stressful. Caregivers and parents sometimes forget to take care of themselves as much as they care for their children. Here are four tips to keep in mind: 1. Take a break when you need it.Why is this…
Read more“I’m Fine.”
August 30, 2018
How many times have you said those words only to wonder how ‘fine’ you really are? Sometimes “I’m fine” because that is what I want to be, sometimes it’s because I think that’s what others want me to be, and sometimes it’s just the easiest response. Most times, it’s true: I am fine. Of course…
Read more“Is this normal?” …and other things I Google at 1AM
July 20, 2018
One of my favorite things to share about Exceptional Lives is that people access our resources the most between the hours of 10PM and 2AM. When I learned this fact, I nodded in agreement and immediately recalled many nights pulling out the computer or squinting at the bright phone in the dark to search for…
Read moreTake Me Outside!
April 28, 2018
This week, I was called to the school twice to pick up my son. Scrreeeech. Back down the rabbit hole I go; There have been a lot of transitions lately. He’s going through a growth spurt. Is everyone getting enough sleep? I think there’s too much sugar in our diets. We should probably cut back…
Read more#CelebrateTheWins
February 21, 2018
Sometimes the world feels too heavy. In our individual lives we feel this in different ways. We all have our unique challenges and stresses, and we have varying levels of support to deal with them. At Exceptional Lives, we often talk about our experiences as parents of children with special needs, or exceptionalities. We recognize…
Read moreHow to Reduce Back to School Stress
August 16, 2017
Around the United States, families are getting ready for the first weeks of school. Our family is in the middle of helping our oldest son re-enter mainstream school after a semester of medical leave, while also preparing our daughter to begin kindergarten. As soon as August arrived, we felt the stress rise.New teachers, classrooms, expectations, and classmates – and…
Read moreWhat is Stress and How Can I Unwind?
June 14, 2017
I held his hand as the anesthesiologist put a small mask over his mouth and nose, and I watched him fall asleep. I squeezed his shoulder and kissed his cheek as his eyes lost focus and gently closed. After four days of GI, my oldest son, Jack, was "under" for his colonoscopy and endoscopy. As I mentioned…
Read moreExploring Nature to Find Our Calm
June 14, 2017
This week, we received a secondary diagnosis for my son. It’s been a very hot week. It’s the end of the school year. He’s going through a growth spurt. Is everyone getting enough sleep? I think there’s too much sugar in our diets. We should probably cut back on screentime. Physical play is always good.…
Read moreHelping a Child with Special Needs Cope with Grief
March 8, 2017
Love is a powerful emotion. It binds us together and guides us through even the darkest of times. What happens when you lose someone you love, though? And how do you grapple with the grief of that loss? Further, how do you help your child with special needs manage their emotions when they lose…
Read moreRethink Discipline: Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities
August 9, 2016
With another school year right around the corner, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) recently put out advice to help schools make sure they’re giving students with disabilities the behavioral supports they need.The guidelines remind everyone that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools should try to keep a student in the classroom…
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