Dear Special Needs Mom Ready To Give Up…

Dear Special Needs Mom Ready to Give Up…

I see you crouched down against the wall with your knees to your chest and your eyes red and swollen. I hear you. I hear your cries of frustration, your filtered screams for help through your gritted teeth.

I know how it feels. I promise I do. I know how right now you want to give up. You don’t think you can go one more night with things being thrown at you. You don’t think you can bear one more day of stares when your child has yet another meltdown in the underwear aisle at Target. You don’t think you can have one more fight with your partner, one more judgement from your parents, or one more missed playdate.

An Open Letter to the Special Needs Mom Ready to Give Up

I know how warm your cheeks are right now. I know how fast your heart is beating and how the pain in your chest is literally too much to carry another day. I know.

I know that right now it never feels like it will get better. I know that makes you feel guilty, right? I mean, so many other parents deal with so much more. I know you are so tired of feeling like you should be stronger.

I know you don’t think you are doing enough for your child and yet you are sick and tired of the therapy sessions and the doctors appointments. I know right now you want to give it all up. You want your kid to be “normal.” You want a redo. Your brain hurts just thinking about all the places you have to be tomorrow, you just want to give up.

Mama, I know you hurt. I know how alone and tired you feel. I know, because I’ve been there. In fact, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get out of “there”. I have uttered the words “it’s not fair” more times than I can count and honestly, more times than I want to admit. I have screamed at the top of the lungs sounds that would make a lion scared in hopes that somewhere, someone would save me.

I’ve sat outside my child’s door and cried enough tears to fill a lake. I’ve hit my head against his door as he hits the other side more times than any parent should ever have to do.

I’ve been at the edge. The edge of losing my child. The edge of losing my other children. The edge of losing my marriage, my sanity… my “self”.

I’ve been there. More times than I really want to admit.

Here’s the thing, though. You can’t quit. You can’t give up. You aren’t allowed to.

Yeah, you read that right. You aren’t allowed to quit. You see if you give up, you know deep down no one else will advocate for your child the way you do. You know no one will love your child the way you do. You know no one will pick you back up like you do.

You are stronger than you even realize you are. You are already doing it. You are taking time for yourself, even if its just a short breather to turn off your mind and read something familiar. You are doing it. You are one strong mama! Now, its time to turn the corner and brush it off and get back up.

Dear Special Needs Mom Who Wants to Give Up

Want to know a secret?

You’ve got this. No, you’ve more than got this. You, my friend, were born with what it takes to get through this and not give up! Today might be an ugly day. Heck, you might not remember the last pretty day, but I know you’ve got this.

Want to know the best part?

You are not alone. That’s right. I have sat in the exact same place in the hall you are sitting in now. I have stayed awake many nights worrying how I’d get through another day. I’ve dug deep down and wondered if I had what it takes to persevere and get my child the support he needs. I’ve been there and so have so many others.

I know that doesn’t make it easier right now, but I want you to know you have a village out there waiting for you to find them. You have an army rooting for you and cheering you and your child on. You know why? They know what’s on the other side of this fight. They know it gets better. They know not all days feel this helpless.

They know because they have been in your shoes. They wanted to give up. They found their village and their drive and they persevered.

Just like you, mama.

Just like you!

Signed,
A tired mama that’s been in your shoes. 

Ps. Yes. It really does get better.

If you are at the end of your rope and you feel like you just can’t go any more, there is help! Here are a few of my favorite resources.

18 of the Most Supportive Facebook Groups for Parenting High Needs Children
The Day I told My Kids I Quit
Mama’s Anger Management Course
The Secret to Being a Happy Mom

banish-mom-funk-series-homepage

More Adventures in Imperfect Parenting

10 Tips Every Parent of an anxious child needs right now

Simple Everyday Steps To Being a Happier Mom

8 thoughts on “Dear Special Needs Mom Ready To Give Up…”

  1. Jill

    Wow must read even if you don’t know what we are going through you might just get an eye opener with this. Thank you for who ever wrote this I will book mark this for my bad days

    1. LKirby

      I’m so glad I came across this! I definitely needed this! I’ve been having extreme challenges with both my special needs children, I’ve been on that “ I give up “ road. I can’t even remember the last time I cried so hard and so much. Thank you!

    2. Rima

      WHAT A USELESS ARTICLE. THE AUTHOR IS TOO FOCUSED ON HER OWN FEELINGS. IT DOESNT HELP ME THAT “YOU KNOW”… WHAT A PILE OF CRAP.

  2. Pingback: The One Thing Every Special Needs Mom Has in Common

  3. ashley

    I can’t tell you how much I needed to read these words. I have literally read this over and over. I am so thankful that you a sharing your journey. I got this! Atleast to get through another day. 🙂 Thank you so much!

  4. AlexsMama

    Thank you, I feel horrible for feeling so hopeless about life with my auti.. but when I read your letter I realized I’m not horrible. And I DO got this!

  5. I am touched ,I am dealing with these kids every day.I can feel the pain,hurt, embracing moment by the parents every day.Thanks for sharing .
    Special educator.

  6. Shannon Turner

    Thank you for writing this. I can’t began to express how much I needed this today. I sat here wondering if I can do it with all of these appointments. I have been judged by so many, and have lost friends. I feel alone, but I am learning I am not so alone as I thought I was. Some days I feel like a bad parent, and others like a super hero. Today I felt like a failure until I stubbled upon this. Thank you. Shannon

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