25 things that make special needs parents happy

At least this one anyway... and specifically in regards to my little girl.

1 - Watching friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, siblings and more treat special needs kids awesomely because of the influence your child has had on them.

2 - Finding doctors and therapist that believe in your kids as much as you do.

3 - Realizing that when random strangers tell you how "lucky" you are to have a child strapped in a wheelchair because their kids are running wild through Target they really have good intentions... really. (This applies to other inappropriate random comments... And yes, it really happened to someone I know.)

4 - Watching something that doctors tell you will never happen happen.

5 - Then watching everyone who ever believed in your daughter say "I knew it! I told you so!"

6 - Realizing that it's okay if you don't do EVERYthing the therapists say you should be doing, every day (even if you aren't 9 months pregnant).

7 - Watching how much your kids love eachother and having your son ask "Where's Dylie?" When she's been in bed for two minutes.

8 - Having your special needs girl completely over-react and be dramatic (just like a little girl should).

9 - Being okay that your three year old still uses a 3 month old's binki, her teeth are never going to be anything other than perfect (for her) anyway right?

10 - Being able to celebrate the 'inchstones'.

11 - Having support from random strangers who you now call "family". (One of my "friends" did a shout out for extra 60 CC syringes, before I saw and could offer to send a box she had 25 responses from other "friends". A.maz.ing.)

12 - Realizing just how not alone you really are, bloggers, support groups, "friends". I love my "any-cephaly" family.

13- Finding your dog sleeping right next to your special needs kid's door. (Even though he's fallen down on the totem pole significantly!)

14 - Having your niece and other family members want one of these shirts (3elove.com) as much as you do.

15 - Having friends think of you first when they know someone who needs advice, needs support or just want someone to talk to.

16 - Having doctors say "We will need to fix it if she ever drives" and being able to laugh (and laugh at others who start laughing when you tell them!).

17 - Learning how to not compare your children to books, milestones, time lines or each other.

18 - Liking - Really liking the people who work with your children - teachers, therapists, nurses - and building lasting friendships with them.

19 - Knowing that someone has always been there before you and knowing that you're that person for someone else.

20 - Having your child be the one to give others HoPE. (Dylan's video of her taking a couple of steps made international 'news' when Alfred's mom posted it on her blog, in Swedish! You can see her post here, Google Translate is our friend!)

21 - Having your Pediatrician tell you that you're right, regardless of what the other doctors think, because you're a mom and no one knows their special needs kids like their moms do. (This does not apply to the other kids who I am nearly clueless about!)

22 - Watching Dylan clearly skip over her least favorite song (The Lone Ranger Theme) on her favorite musical toy. Cracks us up, every time.

23 - Finding out that you have more patience that you (or anyone who's ever known you) ever thought you would.

24 - Having random strangers come up and talk to my kids... all of them.

25 - Figuring out that you can handle anything that Heavenly Father throws at you (not that we are asking for it...)



Idea for this nearly stolen from Love That Max - You can read her list of things that make special needs parenting easier by clicking on the link. I decided to go with happy instead!