Recently, a friend shared on social media the challenges of preparing for a family vacation. Another friend humorously commented, “I always forget my chargers!” If you’re a parent of a child with special needs, your immediate thought might be, “Forget the charger? Never!” That’s practically a parenting faux pas in our world. We always pack the charger, a backup battery, and an extra pair of headphones.
It hit me just how resourceful we special needs parents can be. For instance:
Need caffeine?
No app required; just let us outside, and we’ll detect the nearest Starbucks, Tim Hortons, or Dunkin’ within a 10-mile radius.
Looking for a restroom?
We’ve already mapped out the locations of every public toilet around town.
Emergency exit?
We’ve scouted that out the moment we entered the building. In case of fire, just follow us; we’ll lead the way.
Feeling peckish?
We always have snacks on hand because no one under our care will ever go hungry. Even if the last snack was devoured, we know all the nearby drive-thrus.
Suffering from sniffles?
We’re stocked with tissues.
Got a cut?
I’ve got an array of Band-Aids in different sizes hidden away.
Headache?
Do you want something for the pain, or just an Advil? We’ve got it covered.
Packing for three weeks in Europe with just a carry-on?
We’re your go-to team because that’s how we roll every single day.
Is there a crisis?
Step aside; we can handle it. I’ve had to convince my tween to leave the girls’ department where all the Frozen merchandise was, simply because nothing fit her. Talk about stressful!
And yes, we can produce cell phone chargers, laptop power cords, and headphones seemingly out of thin air. We’ve got skillz.
If you’re interested in learning more about parenthood and related topics, you can explore our other blog posts, such as this one on home insemination, which provides useful insights. For those looking into artificial insemination methods, Make a Mom is a great authority on the subject. Additionally, this resource from the NHS is excellent for understanding intrauterine insemination and its processes.
In summary, parents of children with special needs develop an extraordinary set of skills that equip them to navigate various challenges with ease. From packing essentials to finding resources, their adaptability is truly remarkable.