Overcoming Burnout Felt By Special Needs Parents | Special Education Decoded

Recently, I went through a scenario that plays out daily in thousands of homes throughout the world...

I sat there quietly… the palm of my hand supporting my head.

Halfway between anger and despair… I felt lost, alone, afraid, and helpless.

My wife and I had just gone through yet another of our son’s nuclear meltdowns.

Not only was he loud and unruly… but this time, he became aggressive and took the frustration he felt out on me.

Though thousand of parents can 100% relate to this exact scenario… many can not.

As a parent of a child with special needs… I would tell them that they are lucky.

Because there is nothing worse than seeing your own child filled with so much anger that they would physically lash out against the person trying everything they can to help.

The exhaustion, depression, and burnout felt by parents of children with special needs is real… and can become serious, fast.

You want to be there, be strong, and focused for your family… but eventually, everything can unravel if you don’t take action now.

What I’m about to share… are some strategies my wife and I have used in an effort to keep everything together.

Today, we are going to discuss different strategies you, as a parent of a child with special needs, can use to avoid burnout…

RESOURCES; https://specialedresource.com/resource-center/category/articles

Strategies For Avoiding Burnout -Special Needs Parents

1. Actively Seek Time For Yourself
-EVERYONE Needs Time Away From Any Task
-Many Don’t Because It Seems Selfish
-Could NOT Be Further From The Truth
-The Opposite Is Actually True
-It’s Selfish NOT To Focus On Yourself, Because If You Don’t… You’ll Have Nothing Left To Give

**Bucket Analogy
A. Picture Your Life As A Bucket
B. The Contents Of That Bucket Are What You Have To Offer
C. This Bucket Can Only Be Re-Filled When You Are Actively Enjoying Yourself
D. If You Don’t Actively Fill That Bucket, It Will Soon Dry Up
E. When The Bucket Is Dry, Only Emptiness Remains
F. When Only Emptiness Remains, There’s Nothing Left To Give
G. So When Your Child, Boss, Spouse, Or Friends NEED You, You Have Nothing Left To Offer
H. You Can’t Give Happiness, Joy, and Love When You’re Miserable Inside

2. Communicate With Someone You Trust; Truthfully
-Today, Due In Large Part To Social Media… Most People Only Communicate Happiness, While Allowing The Truth To Internally Destroy Them.
-Fact; True Friends DO Care About You, Confide In Them
-Sometimes Simply Talking About It With A Trusted Adult Can Help Tremendously

3. Take A Break During Your Child’s Meltdown
-If You Find Yourself Becoming Emotional, Angry, Or Extremely Frustrated; Step Away
-Go Outside, Calm Down, And When You’re Ready; Come Back.
-A Quick Five Minute Break Can Truly Help Both You And Your Child
-In Fact, Your Child May Even Be Calmer When You Return

4.Positive Self-Talk
-Most People Tell Themselves Negative Things Without Even Thinking About It
-Things Such As;
A. I’m A Terrible Parent.
B. What Am I Doing Wrong?
C. I Don’t Know What I’m Doing.
D. I Wish I Could Just Make It All Better.
E. Maybe My Child Is Better Off Without Me.
F. My Child Hates Me.
G. Nothing Will Ever Change.
H. I Should Know What To Do.
I. ON AND ON AND ON…

-The Truth Is; No Instruction Manual Exists For Your Child
Every Child Is Different, Every Situation Is Unique
-Tell Yourself The Truth;
A. I Am A Great Parent!
B. I Am Trying My Best To Make A Difference!
C. I Know My Child Loves Me!
D. We WILL Find Something That Helps!
E. I’ve Helped My Child Through Other Situations, We Can Do This!
F. I Am Strong!
G. Nothing Will Stand In My Way!
-Positive Affirmations Multiple Times A Day Can Change Your Mindset Entirely

5. Community Support
-FACT: Thousands Of Parents Go Through This Scenario Daily
-Connect With Them
-Find What They’ve Done To Help With Their Situation

6. Be Consistent
-Just Like Consistency Helps Children… It Helps Parents Too
-Put A Plan In Place To Help Yourself And Stick To It
-Let Nothing Stand In Your Way Of Self-Care

Here’s the bottom line… Never, Ever, Under Any Circumstance Give Up On Yourself
Be Courageous And Keep Fighting!

If you have other children, be open with them about what’s going on. Whatever you’re feeling, they most likely are too…

For us, our daughter is equally as worried about her little brother as we are. We actively discuss the situation with her… because she sees how he treats us during his meltdowns.

Meltdowns affect everyone in a family… that’s a fact.

This includes YOU.

By focusing on yourself and keeping your bucket full… you’ll be better equipped to keep your family together and progressing positively, no matter the struggles that may lie ahead.

You are not alone.

It is not easy, but it can be manageable if you prioritize taking care of yourself!

Contact Us; Contact@SpecialEdResource.com

From all of us at specialedresource.com… thank YOU for watching this episode of Special Education Decoded!
We’ll catch you in the next episode!

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