Ten Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me About Parenting A Child With Special Needs

By Natalie Umphery.

As a mother of ten kids, including three sets of twins, you would think I would have had parenting covered. At the age of three, within my oldest set of multiples, my son was diagnosed with mild/moderate autism with the ability to speak and communicate, along with ADHD. With all that being said, I wish that someone would have told me the following ten things about parenting a child with special needs.

1. A lot of people just didn’t understand why my child was different and would blame it on my parenting skills or lack thereof.
2. I would have quite a few mommy melt-downs. I’m not ashamed to admit that difficult outings to places like the library can be devastating experiences.
3. I would constantly be making sure that my son got the proper education and fair treatment that he needed, and constantly fighting to keep him in a regular classroom. If your child needs special attention, then he should get it. My son is very bright and doesn’t need to be in special education classes.

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Does it get easier? Yes? No? Maybe?

The big question: Does raising multiples ever get easier? Yes? No? Maybe?

Heather M. “My twins are 22 months and I think it has gotten a lot easier.”

Heather W. “It’s gotten easier for me. The first 6 months in my opinion was the hardest … Now it’s easy breezy with a few storms”

Farrah R. “Mine are 17 mos and it has gotten much easier but different since they are toddlers now and I know how that goes, I have a 3 yo so am prepared! As long as they sleep- in my mind it’s easier.”

Mary G. “My twins are going to be 2 in april, I think it’s when they start finding their own personalities, and going into the “terrible 2’s” and potty training, and not sleeping in their cribs anymore but toddler beds..that the real “stress” of having 2 kids at the exact same stage really hits you and it feels really difficult at times to juggle their emotions as well as your own.”

Melody B. “My twin boys will be 3 on Saturday and it absolutely is getting easier!!!! I’m so happy to have made it to their 3rd Birthday still married to my husband and still sane…LOL”

Karen P. “Mine turned 4 in January – it gets DIFFERENT. Each stage brings forth ease and more difficulties. Nothing is easy about parenting, especially multiples.”

Sarah L. “I have 23mo old twins, and while we’ve hit a difficult patch I’m sure it’s just a phase. It’s all about perspective and I’m sure tomorrow will be a better day!”

Jillian M. “There are pro’s and con’s at each age, everyone always tells me it gets better as they get older. I find it’s just different but the way I feel about parenting changes for the better.”