Since Nancy and Sunbonnet Sue got me too humming this tune, it made me realize how lucky I am! I’ve got to tell you that in many ways I’m busier now than when LuLu is home with me. My phone seems to be jingling 24/7. Super Dad was a bit baffled by why I haven’t told more people that LuLu is in the hospital (not announced on the church-wide prayer list for example). But it’s simply because the more people who know, the more people who’ll call.

I love talking to everyone. It’s heart-warming to know so many people love and care about us. I’m encouraged by the commenters here and those who’ve sent personal emails. I doubt I’ll ever get time to answer them all.

I feel the love. And it’s healing.

Everyone needs friends. We’re social creatures. I think this is a tragic part of what’s not healthy when parenting challenging children…your friendships suffer. It’s hard to maintain friendships when you have little time to tend to anyone’s life but your own – when your days are filled with caring for this child.

There are times when you and your friends and family don’t see eye-to-eye on issues surrounding your child. They may not agree with your choices in treatment, your parenting style or decisions you make that affect other family members. Having special needs children puts an added stress on your friendships. You can’t do all the things you were able to do prior to having your child. And as your friends’ children grow and mature to independence, they are able to do more and different things that you may not be able to do.

But it gives you the chance to develop other friendships, too. I have a good friend (a friend I would never have made if I wasn’t LuLu’s mother) who says that the special moms of special kids are special friends indeed. And it’s true. No one “gets it” quite like the folks who are living through it as well.

There’s a richness in sharing your struggles that can’t be described – the unspoken understanding in that type of friendship is priceless.

No one should EVER have to go through the challenges we parents go through alone. If you feel alone – reach out. It’s time to build your support network NOW! You need friends…and they need you!

Photo Credit