Parenting
Find resources to help you on your parenting journey, including advice on fostering multi-generational relationships and how to find peace as the caregiver of a special needs child.
Filter by: Adoption and Foster Care
Parenting, Special Needs
When my family accused me of using my special needs child as an excuse
We make decisions for our medically fragile kids every day, but sometimes family members just don't understand our reasons.
Advocacy, Parenting
I’m Raising My Special Needs Child with Dignity – Are You?
Special needs children deserve honor and respect. As parents, we need to maintain their dignity and help them present themselves at their best in public.
Parenting, Visual Impairment
My baby is blind… What do I do?
When your baby is diagnosed with a visual impairment you may at first feel lost. What do you do? Where do you begin?
Adoption and Foster Care, Education
Transitioning an Adopted Child to School
Ellen writes about adopting her visually impaired son, Edy, and how they focused on helping him acclimate to his new home and family while also thinking about how they would...
Parenting, Special Needs
Why I’m Talking About Sex and Intimacy as a Special Needs Mom
A call to couples and parents raising special needs kids to prioritize sex and physical intimacy in their relationships.
Parenting, Special Needs
8 things I am so done with as a special needs mom
It's hard to keep things together as a special needs family. I'm losing patience and I feel totally selfish for being so annoyed with the world, but I'm going to...
Parenting, Support
When I Feel Alone as a Mom to a Child With Anophthalmia, I Remember This
Gwen writes about her baby daughter, Ivey, and the medical issues she faces. Gwen finds strength in her friends, family and even strangers who are drawn to her little girl.
Parenting, Support
Disabled Parenting Project
The Disabled Parenting Project (DPP) is an online space for sharing experiences, advice, and conversations among disabled parents as well as those considering parenthood.
Parenting, Support
“What if I die?” Creating a care plan to combat the secret fear of every special needs parent
If you are the primary caregiver of a special needs child, you probably worry about what would happen if you were gone.
Parenting, Special Needs
What I wish people understood about raising a medically complex child
Here's something I've learned in the last 10 years: Raising a special needs child is hard, but raising a special needs child who is medically complex is much harder.
Parenting, Special Needs
Parenting a Child with a Rare Disease
Navigating life's path as a parent of a child diagnosed with a rare disease can be hard at times. It's okay to look to others for help.
Adoption and Foster Care
Emma’s Dilemma: A Book About Acceptance and Adoption
A little girl must complete a family tree for school but fears her classmates won't understand her own tree, which includes adoptive and biological parents.
Adoption and Foster Care
Finn’s Adoption Day
Watch this video documenting Finn's adoption day when he first meets his new family. Bethel China helps families adopt visually impaired children in China.
Parenting, Support
The Caregiver’s Notebook: An Organizational Tool and Support to Help You Care for Others
The Caregiver's Notebook gives those who care for someone with multiple needs a handy place to organize information.
Parenting, Special Needs
Why it’s OK to Ask Me About My Special Needs Child
When you see my daughter, please ask questions! I believe it is my role to educate others about being deafblind and how this shapes (but doesn't define) my child.
Parenting
Encouraging Sisterly Love
How do you encourage sisterly (or brotherly) love? Nicole shares some tips for encouraging your "typical" kids to play and interact with their special needs sibling.
Adoption and Foster Care
Hope For Orphans with Visual Impairments
This site is dedicated to finding families for orphans with visual impairments. The children listed on this site may have a very minor impairment, such as a lazy eye (amblyopia...
Adoption and Foster Care, Visual Impairment
Adopting a Visually Impaired Child from China: Our Story
MaryAnne Roberto shares her story of adopting two boys who are blind through Bethel China. Shane and Vincent have different stories, but they are all part of one big family!
Parenting, Special Needs
I may not sit, roll, walk or speak but I AM SO LOVED
Janyia is a little girl with several medical conditions: Arthrogryposis, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic lung disease and Hydrocephalus. This is her story.
Parenting, Special Needs
16 things that have helped me as the parent of a child with special medical needs
My son Jaxon was born with bilateral corneal clouding. We have been through a lot with this little man and I wrote a blog post about some of the things...
Parenting
14 Back Exercises for Caregivers
Caring for a disabled child can be stressful in many ways, but have you given much thought to how you might be placing stress on your back? Learn 14 exercises...
Adoption and Foster Care, Visual Impairment
Bethel China: Supporting Blind Children in China
Bethel China supports parents of visually impaired children in China and helps orphaned blind children find homes. Find out what they are doing and how you can help!
Parenting, Special Needs
Traveling with a Child who is Medically Complex
Traveling with a child who is medically complex can be difficult. Not only do you have all the normal travel woes, but there's medications, medical equipment and emergencies to prepare...
Adoption and Foster Care
How to Adopt a Special Child
Kimberly Schildbach writes about her family's journey to bring two special children into their homes. She gives advice to other parents interested in adopting a special needs child.