Humor, Opinion, Parenting

15 Reasons Why Its Hard To Get Along With Special Needs Parents

Have you ever wondered why parents of kids with special needs always seem to be so cranky? Or why we tend to make really inappropriate remarks so often? Or why other parents of kids with special needs laugh at those inappropriate remarks like it’s an inside joke?

The Life We Live

Special needs parenting is a lifestyle.  For many of us, it is not the lifestyle we chose.  And even if we did choose to become a special needs family through adoption, there are still plenty of reasons to be cranky - and then joke about it later. Here are 15 possible reasons to explain the mysterious behaviors of some special needs parents. 1. Already changed the sheets twice before 7am and cleaned excrement from some very creative and almost-inaccessible places. 2. Spouse drank the last cup of coffee in the house.  The rest of the coffee was dumped on the kitchen floor and eaten by an ecstatic child yesterday before it could be fully cleaned up. 3. Mixed the g-tube formula, fed daughter, cleaned up, got to school on time, then listened to the neighbor complaining that her 8 year old refused to eat broccoli at dinner last night. 4. Was up with a wide-awake child from 2am to 6am, then awakened by a phone call at 11:45 am. 5.  It was the pharmacy leaving a voice mail explaining that the medication refill will cost $500 out-of-pocket.  The medication is necessary for a life-threatening condition, so not refilling is not an option. 6. Just learned that the “zero tolerance for bullying” policy at school is actually a “we tolerate bullying unless your speech-impaired child gives us a name” policy. 7. Sent three polite, respectful e-mails so far today to the school team.  No more politeness remained after that. 8. 90 minute screaming meltdown 3 times per week - and we’re overdue for one, so it’ll probably be today. 9. Those meltdowns come with injuries. 10. All the remote controls in the house, including the garage door opener, have either been destroyed or have disappeared. 11. A person with good intentions said, “G-d chose you to be his parent because of your patience.” 12. Another person with good intentions said, “G-d only gives us what we can handle.” 13. While signing school papers, two kids were talking directly into each ear. 14. The child with a disability brushed his own teeth, dressed himself and tied his shoes while his able sibling refused to brush teeth, refused to get dressed and rolled on the ground instead of putting on shoes. 15. Had to decline a bunch of invitations to weddings and family reunions again this year. Are you difficult to get along with today?  Why?