Rule #1 for Parenting Children with Special Needs

Okay Folks! MOST of what I discuss as The Behavior Lady is applicable to parents of any child, and this topic is no different.

If you do not take care of you, you will be in NO shape to care for your child! .You know what I'm talking about- I KNOW you do!

Example: One of my favorite client families is the Miller family. Aaron and Stephanie have a daughter, Aleena, who has SMA-Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

I give GREAT BIG KUDOS to Aaron and Steph because they GET IT!

Although Aleena's condition is dire and they have had to completely rearrange their lives to care for Aleena, THEY MAKE IT WORK!

One of them is on call at night, and one of them sleeps. The one who is up at night gets to sleep the next day and the one who slept handles daily care.

These two adults would have EVERY reason to complain or feel self-pity and anguish, but they CHOOSE to take care of themselves, so they CAN take care of Aleena!

It doesn't matter what your child's particular issues are. Make a PLAN! Decide what you need most and find the support you need!

I like to prioritize like this:

food, mood, fun, sleep.

If I am well-fed, stable, rested and happy, i can deal with ANYTHING!