Friday, May 6, 2011

20 More Reasons Moms Of Kids With Special Needs Rock


What, you thought there were only 20 Reasons Moms Of Kids With Special Needs Rock? As if! I adapted several of the below from the amazing comments on last year's post. Rock on, mamas!

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20 MORE REASONS MOMS OF KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ROCK

1. Because we are geniuses at talking our way into whatever it is that will make our children's lives easier—at restaurants, amusement parks, school, wherever.
2. Because we help people see the amazing kid behind the special needs. Put that pity away, please.
3. Because we have learned the language of disability and medical conditions, so much so that sometimes people ask if we ourselves are medical professionals. Too bad we have nobody to bill.
4. Because we are so over "typical."
5. Because we work through those not-doing-enough-for-my-child guilt trips...and move right along to feeling guilty about something else. Next!
6. Because we have endless determination, dedication and energy.*
(*This motherhood brought to you by caffeine.)
7. Because we have cried more tears than we ever thought humanly possible, but never let our kids see the sadness.
8. Because we still have a healthy sense of humor. And no cellulite! Or we do have some but we have no time to care!
9. Because we know that the timeline for when our kids do stuff doesn't matter. Even when our hope is running low, they somehow surprise us.
10. Because we always put ourselves last, although we know that mani-pedis are our God-given right.
11. Because we do not let our kids' habit of banging their knees rhythmically under the table or their obsession with all things purple or whatever quirk drive us crazy...usually.
12. Because we have extreme endurance—we're talking Ironwoman endurance—when it comes to dealing with the insurance company. Press 3 if you'd like to tell off a representative!
13. Because we listen to other mothers complain about the small hardships of their lives and we don't say "You think you've got it hard, sister?!" We just think it.
14. Because we keep our composure amidst all the frolicking tots at the playground, birthday parties and playdates, no matter how painful it may be.
15. Because we also keep our composure when people stare. OK, maybe we don't. HEL-LO, DIDN'T YOUR MOTHER TELL YOU THAT IT'S RUDE TO STARE?
16. Because when our children accidentally roll over our feet with their walkers or poke us in the eye when they are flailing their arms or almost knock out one of our kidneys, we smile through our pain and we do not sue them.
17. Because we spend countless hours filling out forms and doing paperwork. Where's the app for that?
18. Because just when we think our heart can't take any more, it takes more.
19. Because we will do anything in our power to make the world a safer, saner, kinder, happier, more accepting place for our kids.
20. Because, well, you tell me.

Now, go check out Top 20 Reasons Moms Of Kids With Special Needs Rock.

For a printable copy or to request permission to republish, email LoveThatMax@gmail.com.

34 comments:

  1. Love this. #s 4, 12, 13, and 17 are spot-on for me. And as for #20, Ellen, YOU ROCK! Thanks for "getting it" on behalf of all of us in this unexpected sisterhood. Happy Mother's Day (hope it includes extra sleep)!

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  2. I totally agree with everything. (Except the cellulite part.)Guilty!

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  3. Love this so much. Thanks for sharing and putting words to so many of my emotions over the last few years...

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  4. As always, Ellen, you've written a winning post! Love it-Happy Mother's Day!!

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  5. I enjoyed your first 20 reasons post and this one cheered me up today *off to share*

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  6. My favorite most-fitting mother's day sentiment! Love number #14. I have done my time in the plastic tunnels, though I do scold the kids pushing on my butt.
    Very Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  7. Great post, Ellen! People tend to write really sappy (cue the violins) things about parents of kids with special needs. No violins here...yes, we rock!

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  8. Because I would do anything for the pure, fun, unconditional, unpredictable, sometimeselfish love of my son. He is the joy of my life, the best teacher I ever had, and our victory celebrations are majestic ones :)

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  9. Because we know that's it's progress, not perfection, that matters.

    Thanks for this.

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  10. Perfectly said. #16 made me laugh out loud because I have many a bruise on my shins where Caleb has slammed in to me with his walker. Pain like you wouldn't believe!

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  11. I love it! Knowing what my wife goes through with Madison every day, you nailed it right on! I'm not sure whether to laugh, cheer, or cry!

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  12. Ok I'm not a Mom, but I LOVE your list! It is too true.

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  13. Dads rock too. :) I'll do a Father's Day list!

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  14. YES! And because, when it comes to getting what our kids need, we don't take NO for an answer!

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  15. I do that all the time, like i will tell somebody (put my brakes on) and they won't even know that the chair has brakes! lol:)
    i don't even have kids but i can talk like an expert about myself!!!

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  16. This is wonderful! I did, however, for some strange reason I haven't quite figured out, misread the word "frolicking" in the one with the tots on the playground! For some reason my tired mind deleted the "roli" and substituted a "U!!" I have no idea why I did that--it read pretty funny, though!!!!

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  17. I love your blog & I've been reading for over a year now. I have a two and a half year old special needs son- and sometimes I feel like you take the words right out of my mouth! :) you're amazing!

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  18. Once again, Thanks for a great read!

    Mom of a 4 year old with a rare form of dwarfism and tons of stuff to go with it. ;)

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  19. Happy Mother's Day, Ellen! Do something *super-extra-special* for ~you~ ToDay! You deserve it! I love this post, by the way...Our "exceptional" little man may have different Gifts than your beautiful Max, but I identify with all your feelings. I've shared your blog with other moms. I have a feeling you may soon meet them. Happy Mother's Day!
    PeaceLove&Smiles, CherylFaith, Mommy to Leo, age 7, who has Down's Syndrome

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  20. Love your list, Rock on mom.

    http://www.nycsinglemom.com
    i stumbled it so hope more people see the list and are in awe of you and other moms who truly ROCK!!

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  21. We applaude your hard work everyday - especially for recognizing the beauty of your gifts!

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  22. I definitely love this! I especially love #2, #9, #11, #13 (yes), #14 :)

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  23. Because finding the "best" school, therapists, and doctors for our children is an exhausting task, but we do it with both intuition and determination.

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  24. Because we are cool enough to get excited about the tiniest little accomplishment even when no one else gets it. =)

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  25. Because we need a label that is GOOD!

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  26. Brilliant. And on the perfect day, Sebastian turned three on May 6th! Because we get excited when our child knocks his lunch off his tray and gets messy with his food because it means trying to do it himself.

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  27. Because we know that our Mother in law is Dead wrong when she repeatedly tells us that the only thing wrong with "that child" is that he/she is just spoiled, because she just has NO clue what meltdowns, and IEP's, and EEG's and seizures, and all that goes with raising a child with Autism entails

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  28. Because we laugh when the developemental pediatrician calls us OCD because we have lists of the latest issues our kids have.... and admit that we are a little OCD. Just fitting in with my boys.

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  29. You said it all!! Thanks so much for validating how I feel.

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  30. I love this. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  31. I especially love:
    14. Because we keep our composure amidst all the frolicking tots at the playground, birthday parties and playdates, no matter how painful it may be.

    Oh man, daily. Daily. I broke into tears once recently at one of my son's Little Gym classes - came out of nowhere & could barely fight it. Just left the room briefly (my husband was also there), dried my eyes & went back on it. And watched my son having a great, giggling time & felt better.

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  32. This is to all of the parents who just got a diagnosis that your child has autism or any other disorder.Let your children be children and celebrate as well as focus on what they can do verses what they can't do! I have a 22 year old son with autism and he amazes me every day!

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  33. I will never get tired of reading this because it is so true thank you hope you enjoyed your day

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Thanks for sharing!



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