Having a child with a learning difficulty may be leave parents feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do or where to go looking for help. Implementing these golden rules below should help you, and your child, navigate through the difficult times:
- Take one day at a time. Remember that you do not have control over the future – no one does. Simply focus on making today the best day that it can be.
- Never underestimate your child’s potential. Support and encourage them in every way you can and let them know that you expect them to achieve to the best of their abilities – whatever that may be.
- Keep the feelings of your spouse and other children in mind. A child with a learning difficulty often requires a lot of our time and attention. It might be important to explain that this child does not get more of our love, just because they get more of your attention.
- Find the most appropriate educational and learning environment for your child from a young age – and make an effort to be involved in this important aspect of his life.
- Find positive mentors – whether it be the professional people involved with your child on a regular basis or simply the parents of other children with learning difficulties.
- Answer only to your conscience. If you believe in your heart that what you are doing is in the best interest of your child you do not need to justify you actions to friends or to the public.
- Be honest with your feelings. Raising a child with a learning difficulty can be hard. Feelings of anger, frustration and even jealously are bound to crop up from time to time and it is important to allow yourself to experience these every now and again.
- Look at what you’ve accomplished. Continually foccusing on what needs to be done can be demotivating and exhausting, but when you realise how far you’ve come you’ll realise how much both you and your child have grown from the experience.
- Stop and smell the roses. Having a child with a learning difficulty often helps us gain a special appreciation for the little miracles in life that others may take for granted.
- Maintain a sense of humour – Being able to see the funny side of a situation will help ward off the stress on even the most difficult day.
