Special Needs Parenting Doesn’t Have To Suck!

Have you seen any old video of a special needs child or parents on youtube or vimeo? The videos of his/her  journey, the emotional music in the background, the placards, the motivating clips, and tear jerking moments?  I was glued to them for months after my daughter’s diagnosis. I used to go on a sadistic drive and use to growl and cry hours after hours watching these supposedly inspirational videos!

Wherever I went for seminars or workshops, I was shown these ‘motivating’ videos which always ended with parents wiping their tears and clapping with being inspired! I was sure that this is the only way awareness could be brought about and I was sure to contribute many of my own. But then I met my daughter! Not that I had not met her. She is my real child but I didn’t find anything inspirational about her. She was too normal! Yes, she had Down syndrome and struggled to reach her milestones but she was more of a brat than motivational. From the time I remember, she was only interested in doing all the naughty and fun things that her brother and partner in crime used to do! She is a fine actress and was super confident in front of the camera! I was surprised to find the FUN in special needs and couldn’t wait to show the same to the world!

I found out that special needs awareness doesn’t have to come in same size or shape. So we decided to make home videos which were crazy, mad and fun just like my daughter and we loved them! Time and again I’ve been told by my fellow mothers how they love our videos where we are having a great time yet letting the new parents know the fun side of special needs parenting.

I would like to share a few of our home videos and hope you’d like these too. If you do…don’t forget to share and send cheers someone’s way!

I am not a gifted parent. Parenting is difficult. It is hard. It is an acquired skill which can take years to master but it doesn’t have to suck! Parenting is for REAL. Special needs are just accidental. One is a parent first and nothing has to affect that primary relationship and fun journey that he/she embarks on from the day of their child’s birth.

Comments

comments