Connecting With Our Children
If you are a parent of a child or children with special needs, I know how tired you are at the end of each day. If you are also working, part-time or full-time, for yourself or for someone else, finding time to connect with your kids each day is tough. Our children need to and want to connect with us as we want to connect with them.
I remember having visions of parenthood while my firstborn was a baby. I imagined these peaceful evenings of us cuddling and playing together. I never imagined the rush-rush that I now live with 3 children and a full-time private practice. I run in through the door, pick up, drop off, make dinner, prepare lunches, take out the garbage. By 8 p.m. I feel like I’ve run a marathon…and I still haven’t made 10,000 steps!
I can see what happens when I don’t connect with my kids. They become angry with me, they use that tone and we go downhill from there. I have to remember that they are frustrated that I am not reading their cues and my body language is one of tension, a rushed nature, and a whole bunch of disorganized energy. There are days that I don’t want to be near me! For my child with special needs, on my days of feeling disorganized, I trigger her and we have more meltdowns than usual. But, when I self-calm and organize my thoughts and my actions, we have a better flow.
Image by Shield Healthcare