Having a child with special needs can seem like a herculean responsibility, and it is not something parents ever take lightly. No matter how hard parents try to give their child the best of everything, caring for and nurturing a child with physical or mental development challenges can also feel like the loneliest experience of their lives. Parents may find others like them, but the uniqueness of each child and the family dynamic turns this personal journey into a job for superhumans.
Leg discrepancy is one such physical deformity that can hinder the regular mobility and comfort of your child. It also has a social implication since the child needs extra emotional support and attention. If your child has a leg discrepancy, we're sure you already know about the many courses of treatment and therapy. Today, we're going to take stock of a few tips that will help you navigate your journey as individuals and parents in the life of a child with special needs.
Remember that you're not alone:
There may not be others with the exact rundown of symptoms your child has, but there are many children and adults with similar difficulties. It would be a great help to find such people, especially a support group. Between your kid meeting other kids with their own unique leg discrepancy cases and being introduced to adults who lead happy, fulfilling lives even with this development challenge, you'll witness magic unfold. Most of all, the parents and special needs children worry about not fitting in and their future. Well, a support group of families similar to yours will help you share the experience and not feel isolated.
You're a real-life superhero:
You may not have laser beams to annihilate a villain, but you are a real-life superhero. Every day, you wake up and handle situations that an average parent would find impossible. You help your child with leg discrepancy with their exercises, remember medication, inject and administer medicine, all while juggling your job and other commitments. You soothe hysterical children while they are subjected to extensive operations that would make an adult cringe. You deal with emotional meltdowns and temper tantrums. You play the parent, therapist, physician, and even God in your child's initial stages. That's as superhuman as it can get. You're not perfect, but you're a superhero nevertheless.
Therapy is necessary:
Therapy is playing while play is therapy for your children. Make sure that you lean on your therapist to help you develop and rehabilitate your child's leg discrepancy. They make sessions very engaging and fun, so much that your child will look forward to therapy. While you're getting your child therapy, make sure you also make time to play with them once back home as a reward with lots of positive affirmations.
You will be obligated to make difficult choices:
You may have to make tough decisions that hurt your heart and make you question everything in some situations. Remember that you're doing your level best to make the best choices for your child and family. Too often, we as parents beat ourselves up for decisions that are for the highest good but are painful initially but will pay off in the long term.
You won't always get stuff right:
Many of the choices you make may work out, and many won't. There is no manual to parenting, and there's definitely no guidebook to parent children with special needs. Whether it is leg discrepancy, autism, or any other condition, your child is unique and will present their own set of perks and quirks. Keep going, and you'll get most things correct with your heart in the right place and adequate information.
Forgive yourself a lot:
It's easy to be fixated on the mistakes and let them affect your self-esteem. However, that will hinder your general disposition and approach to parenting, making you too finicky or paranoid. Instead, forgive yourself and give yourself a hug. You're absolutely human, and even the most successful ones have fallen flat on their face several times in their journey.
Parenting a child with special needs is like running a marathon:
Running a marathon needs years of consistent preparation and practice, along with strengthening the art of pacing things out. However, you cannot let the urge to rush take over; it will only cause burnout and disappointment. The same stands true for parenting a child with special needs. You'll need a lot of patience for yourself and them. So breathe and take it one day at a time.
Maintain your sense of humor:
Many parents forget that they are children with grown bodies inside- We certainly feel like that. Our bodies may age, but inside, we still feel the way we did as kids if we don't lose our sense of humor. Staying in touch with your inner child will help you experience more joy than the critical and serious parent experiencing heavy emotions. So, whenever you get a minute to yourself or in your daily life, joke around and let that inner goof take over. Your child will appreciate the laughter, and so will you!
Celebrate the little wins:
As a parent of children with developmental challenges, you know that they take time to learn things other kids learn quickly. So when this happens, make sure to celebrate the little wins and brag about it all you want. Your kid's milestones will be a lot less anticipated, but all the more reason for cheer since they're fighting to make it big in life too! When you celebrate the success of your child, remember that you're succeeding with them as well!
Wrapping Up:
We hope that these little tips have motivated your spirit to keep fighting valiantly in this journey. It may seem like a colossal challenge upon your shoulders, but such responsibility is a blessing in disguise to many. Remember that special children are born in extraordinary homes where they would be loved unconditionally. If you haven't been told this later, we are proud of you and the strides you're taking!
