In this episode, Catherine talks about a little-known issue called “parentification” and how we can protect typical children in families with disabilities from experiencing its effects.
5 Ways to Prioritize Your Responsibilities as a Caregiver
Life is a juggling act, and sometimes I have too many balls in the air. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, one or more of the balls drop. By identifying which balls you can let fall, you can prioritize the breakable ones, like relationships with your spouse and kids, growing your faith, and even your mental health.
Navigating Sexual Abuse-For Parents
Good Touch, Bad Touch: Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Parents
Guest bloggers Gail Averette and Sheila Sullivan share helpful tips and approaches for parents of teens and adult children with disabilities to help prevent sexual abuse. Join us on October 27 as Gail and Sheila will share tips and strategies for ministry leaders to prevent sexual abuse.
Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix
My children have autism. The children at our church are great with our kids: patient, kind, accepting and open to them. I am thankful, but—that is not enough. I want them to have authentic, organic friendships with people their own age. Here are four questions to help churches be places where the neurotypical and neurodivergent can grow together.
Special Needs Parents are Candles, Burning Between Hope and Despair
Parents of children with special needs are often labeled negatively: ‘troublemakers,’ ‘confrontational,’ ‘needy,’ ‘over-sharing.’ The reason we (as yes, I’m one too) can sometimes pick up some of these negative labels is that we won’t take no for an answer when it comes to our child. Why do we enter into conversations, meetings and appointments with our boxing gloves firmly on? Because the world cannot understand.
Lord, How Can My Child Know You?
On this particular morning, several years ago, my Bible reading for the day took me to Romans 10:9-10, the Scriptures that lay out God’s path to salvation. What wasn’t so clear to me was how my son, who suffered with cognitive disabilities, would be able to meet these requirements. “How, LORD,” I asked, “is Myles gonna be able to receive salvation?”
The Antidote to a Culture of Anger: Bearing Fruit
Why You Should Care About Special Needs
14 Truths from God's Word To Reassure and Encourage Caregivers
Families affected by disabilities and other special needs live with a certain amount of chronic stress and uncertainty. Due to the unforeseen challenges of 2020, my typical capacity for coping with pressures is compromised these days. This is true for every family caregiver I know. Here are fourteen faith-anchoring reassurances from Scripture you can offer those who are ready to be reminded of God’s truth.
