e-mail
I was inspired by the Toddler Rules posted by Michelle on Foster Adoption Blog. It was a cute list of “oh so true” realities of parenting a toddler. Here’s a “not so cute” list of the realities of parenting a child with special needs:
If it is full, it must be the trash can, your voice mail or the laundry hamper.
If it is empty, it must be your bank account, your child’s stomach or the carton of your favorite ice cream flavor that somebody has put back into the freezer anyway!
If it is broken, it will be weeks, months or even years before you have the time, energy or funds to fix it.
If it is closed, it must be the pharmacy, the doctor’s office or the mind of a school employee who doesn’t “get it”.
If it came in the mail, it’s either an overdue bill, a denial letter from the insurance, or a subpoena from the school.
If you’ve found the perfect therapist, his office is over 50 miles away, he’s not covered by insurance and has a waiting list of longer than 6 months.
If it is food, it will be complained about, rejected, or possibly thrown…or if they like it, they are either allergic to it, or it costs $7.99/lb.
If you have new neighbors, chances are you will meet them when your child has decided to run outside naked and screaming or an ambulance or the police have been called to your home, which may be a more common occurrence that you wish!
If they go to bed early, they will just wake up early.
If they sleep in late, they will never go to bed.
If you are out of town and leave your husband in charge, your child will lose his glasses, break a bone, run a fever, or run out of his most critical medication.
If your husband is out of town, the toilet will overflow, the furnace will quit running AND the car will break down in the middle of the freeway, while it is raining…and that’s just in one day!
If your child says “I love you Mom!”, it has probably been the world’s worst day, she’s pushed you to the limits of your patience, the house is a total wreck, the dog (or maybe your child) has eaten something that wasn’t food, dinner is burnt…but you know what…
Some how just hearing those words is enough to make you forget all of the above!
Photo Credit
