Friday, March 2, 2012

Helping other parents teach their kids about ours



Nowhere in my mom job description does it list "Educate other parents." But sure enough, that's become part of what I do as the parent of a kid with special needs. It hasn't always come easy, and over the years I've gotten better at it. Not a master, but better.

Still, I'm always curious to hear how other parents handle this. So I asked some of my favorite bloggers and advocates, including Holly Robinson Peete, what they wished other parents would teach their kids about children with special needs. The answers are over on my Babble blog; please take a look, and share it with parents. And of course, feel free to add your own thoughts on what you want parents to help their kids understand about our kids.
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14 comments:

  1. MMMomMarch 2, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    Holy cow does Max look exactly like you in this pic! No denying where he gets his cute looks from!

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  2. AllisonMarch 2, 2012 at 7:30 AM

    I was an avid reader of your blogs in the past and only recently came upon them again...and I am happy I did! I tended to only research and spend time online when my daughter was doing poorly but during this great time, I am finding I can enjoy wonderful blogs like yours! I loved this blog entry because our family is big on educating others about special needs to parents, strangers, kids, anyone who will listen! My husband recently posted this blog about our daughters to share their special relationship and I think it helps other families to see beyond the disability. Thank you for sharing all of your words of inspiration!

    http://www.livyshope.com/index.php?option=com_easyblog&view=entry&id=71&Itemid=62

    Allison

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  3. mymomshopsMarch 2, 2012 at 7:49 AM

    Ditto- this is the 1st time I've seen such a strong resemblance between you and Max! Love that picture.

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  4. JennyMarch 2, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Great post, and ditto on the "Max looks like you' comments.

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  5. MissyMarch 2, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    What a great picture!
    I'm going to head over and check out the other place.

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  6. BLOOM - Parenting Kids With DisabilitiesMarch 2, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!

    This very personal guide for parents of typical kids is awesome! xo

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  7. AmandaMarch 2, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    LOVE IT! I second simply teaching your children to just say "hi" to our kids. So simple.

    I'd love to do something with my first grade students for CP Awareness Month... Any ideas? I've got to do some research. My former principal instructed me to not talk about Sarai with my coworkers or parents of the kids in my class. I'm still scarred by that conversation. How do you not share something SO important about who you are?

    So I'd like to get my kids in school on board. But... Brain injury talks with 1st graders... Humm...

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  8. smilinjoMarch 3, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    I want other parents to remind their children to simply acknowledge Tess. That just because she can't talk doesn't mean she wants to be ignored or has nothing to say. That Tess is smart and curious and cannot physically keep up with your kid so slow your kid down for five minutes. In the end, all our kids will be better people for it. :)

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  9. Ellen SeidmanMarch 3, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    Thanks, guys! Max sometimes really does look like me. Allison, glad to have you here again.

    Smilinjo, another mom said something similar to that in the slideshow—she reminded parents to teach their kids to just greet our kids. "Hi" is a wonderful word, as we both know.

    Amanda, that's awesome that you want to do that! Maybe do a slideshow that helps kids see kids do things in different ways BUT are also alike in many ways? For example, first show a picture of Sarai in gait trainer and talk about that's how she's walking right now, also show a picture of a kid in a wheelchair, show a picture of a person using a cane, show a picture of a guy with prosthetic legs. You could insert a slide about how Sarai has cerebral palsy, because her brain works in a certain way and that's why she does things in her own way. You can do a few other examples—the different ways people use their hands, for example. Or talk. And then show slides about stuff Sarai loves, stuff many kids love, and it can launch a discussion about how other kids love that too?

    If you want to go low-tech, you can print out a bunch of photos and hold them up!

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  10. Mara at Let Kids PlayMarch 3, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    I love this picture. You both look great!

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  11. Melissas Midnight MusingsMarch 3, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Having CP myself, I've sometimes felt that people sometimes expect me to educate them about my disability. Most times I have no problem answering questions, save for when they are blatantly rude and/or ignorant. But what I most appreciate are the experiences I've had where a young child is staring and the parents say something like, "Do you want to say hello?" Or when the child asks why I have crutches, and the parent explains that I use them to walk because my legs don't work quite as well as theirs do.

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  12. the mommy psychologistMarch 5, 2012 at 2:29 AM

    I'm new to the world of blogging. Stumbled upon your blog and fell in love. It's no surprise given my background. Love your title!

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  13. AnonymousMarch 5, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    loved reading the article on bable- i cant want to start using them and teaching my kids

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  14. baristaMarch 8, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    i love your blog! Your son is so cute! And he looks like a very happy, well-adjusted little boy, I can tell you're a good Mom from his expressions and his demeanor in the photos/videos. I'm a soon-to-be-Mom, 18 wks pregnant, so I'm kind of hooked by any Mom stories I come across. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Keep blogging!

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Thanks for sharing!