A Note to the Mom of a Child with Unique Needs

home insemination Kit

Dear Mom of a Child with Unique Needs,

I hope this note finds you well. I want to start by saying I understand a bit about navigating life with challenges—I deal with my own struggles with anxiety and depression. I appreciate person-first language—like “a person with anxiety” instead of “anxious person.” So, I’m committed to using similar language when talking about your child. But, to be honest, I often feel like I’m tiptoeing through a minefield of words. Is “disability” acceptable? What about “sick”? I find myself second-guessing, wanting to be respectful and kind.

Beyond the language, my hope is to foster a friendship between our kids. Not only do I want my kids to appreciate and understand the beauty in our differences, but I genuinely want them to be friends. I want their interactions to be authentic, not just a checkbox of inclusion.

When it comes to explaining your child’s unique traits to mine, I could use your guidance. I don’t want to cross any boundaries regarding your child’s privacy. For instance, if my son notices a visible difference, I want to help him understand without sharing unnecessary details. I prefer not to label your child at all, as I don’t do that for my child’s friends, but curiosity is natural, especially among kids.

I truly would love to connect with you. I can only imagine how isolating it must be to parent a child with unique needs. The world can be hard, filled with misunderstandings and judgments. Between medical appointments and therapies, I understand finding time for playdates can be tough. How can my child and I support you? I’m here to listen, or if you’d like some time away from medical talk, that’s perfectly fine too.

I genuinely hope we can build a friendship. If we happen to cross paths in public, I promise to treat your child with the dignity they deserve. When my kids have questions, I’ll answer them as best as I can, and I encourage them to ask you directly if they’re curious. Please feel free to introduce them to your child when they approach. It would be wonderful for them to forge a new friendship because, at the end of the day, my kids just love making new pals.

I have one last question—does your child fit at our Lego table? If not, don’t worry. We’ll find a way to make it work.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I know how precious your time is.

Warmly,
A Fellow Mama

In Summary

This heartfelt letter aims to connect with the mother of a child with special needs, expressing a desire for understanding, friendship, and support. The author shares their own experiences with anxiety and depression, emphasizing the importance of using respectful language. They offer to help bridge communication with their children while acknowledging the challenges of parenting children with unique needs.