Disappointed, frustrated, and awkward are some of the emotions you may feel when friends and family don’t understand your child's learning issues.
As a parent you expect unconditional love and support from those closest to you, right? Yes, in an ideal world, friends and family would “get it” and be there to help when needed. They’d offer comfort and encouragement when you need it, and be sensitive to your child’s needs when visiting or in social situations. But we don’t live in a perfect world. It could be that they don’t understand the issues at hand, that they’re making judgments based on pre-conceived ideas or they don't think your child has a disability.
Talking with friends and relatives about your child’s learning issues can be helpful to both you and them in many ways. Listed below are Dos and Don’ts to help facilitate these conversations.
As a parent, you might want to find a parent support group in your community that will give you the opportunity to spend time with people whose parenting experiences are similar to your own. You can trade information, tips, stories and experiences,as well as support one another. Gather like-minded families together and schedule outings and family-centered activities.Just being around and spending time with them will bolster you, creating much-needed connections for you as a parent and for your child.
As a parent you expect unconditional love and support from those closest to you, right? Yes, in an ideal world, friends and family would “get it” and be there to help when needed. They’d offer comfort and encouragement when you need it, and be sensitive to your child’s needs when visiting or in social situations. But we don’t live in a perfect world. It could be that they don’t understand the issues at hand, that they’re making judgments based on pre-conceived ideas or they don't think your child has a disability.
Talking with friends and relatives about your child’s learning issues can be helpful to both you and them in many ways. Listed below are Dos and Don’ts to help facilitate these conversations.
- Do: Discuss your child’s issues with family members and friends he sees regularly. Give them the chance to ask questions and you the opportunity to correct misconceptions as they come up in conversation.
- Do: Provide helpful strategies. Loved ones who spend time with your child will find these strategies helpful when you are not there to step in and help your child.
- Do: Identify your child's strengths as well as his challenges.
- Do: Help relatives stay involved in your child’s successes. Invite them to your child's ballet recitals, ball games or the theater to watch them perform..
- Do: Spend more time with people who will recognize your child’s courage, strengths, and other positive attributes, and can give you the kind support that you desire as a parent.
- Don't: Use a lot of technical terms. Use plain language to explain your child's challenges.
- Don't: Have just one conversation about your child’s issues and never bring them up again. Revisit the conversation regularly to educate those who care about him..
As a parent, you might want to find a parent support group in your community that will give you the opportunity to spend time with people whose parenting experiences are similar to your own. You can trade information, tips, stories and experiences,as well as support one another. Gather like-minded families together and schedule outings and family-centered activities.Just being around and spending time with them will bolster you, creating much-needed connections for you as a parent and for your child.
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