|
Reviewer: Allison Martin
After the Tears : Parents Talk About Raising a Child With a Disability
by Robin Simons is wonderful booklet about parenting a child with special
needs. Personal stories and insights accompany the thoughtful discussions
of all aspects of special needs parenting. Even the illustrations are
touching and insightful. Topics include: New problems, new adjustments;
isolation, relatives; working with the school system; is this the best
for my child; chronic sorrow; and personal growth. I highly recommend
this small jewel to every parent of a special needs child and to all who
wish to support a family with special needs children - teachers, professionals,
friends and family. Good advice and heartfelt encouragement for parents
of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Tested over time and still a great
read.
Quote from the foreword:
In parenting a child with a disability you face a major choice. You
can believe that your child's condition is a death blow to everything
you've dreamed and worked toward until now. Or you can decide that you
will continue to lead the life you'd planned - and incorporate your
child into it. Parents who choose the latter course find they do a tremendous
amount of growing. They find inner strengths they didn't know they had.
They develop a greater sense of self-esteem. They develop an openness
about their feelings and an ability to share those feelings with each
other.
Quote from the book:
"The speech therapist says, 'Do half an hour of therapy after
dinner.' The physical therapist says, 'Do 0 minutes of therapy in your
spare time.' What spare time? I have two other kids and a husband! I
finally said 'no' to all that therapy. I had to choose between being
my child's extension therapist and being his mother. And I chose being
his mother."
There are time when even an acceptable amount of therapy becomes too
much - when your child needs time just to be a child, or when you need
time to be with the rest of the family. It's O.K. to say "no"
at those times, for a while. Your instinct will tell you when.
Order
from Amazon
|
