It is no surprise that pregnancy can also be called expecting. It seems just as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed parents start expecting many things, not just the birth of their child.
Consider the off-the-cuff comments from others that we often take with a laugh. “That baby is kicking so much he’s destined for football just like his dad” or the argumentative toddler who is deemed lawyer material. Besides well-meaning friends and family, parents also place expectations on their children. Many a parent secretly, or blatantly in some cases, has high hopes that their child will attend their alma mater, take over the family business or write the next great American novel.
I have been guilty of such behavior myself. An avid reader, I couldn’t wait for my little one to devour books the way I did. At preschool age my daughter loved when I read her picture books, so I automatically thought joining a mother- daughter book club would be a shoo-in. Little did I know it was the pictures that fascinated what turned out to be my budding artist.
Allowing a child to discover the world, change their goals and dreams at will and basically become whom they were meant to be turns out to be a challenge for many parents. Yet, when you think about it, it is exactly what we are meant to do as parents. Parenting at its best is the offering of unconditional love as well as meeting the physical, emotional and educational needs of the child. Sounds simple. It’s not.
Parenting is always a challenge. Some of the most amazing parents I have ever had the pleasure of knowing are parents of children with special needs. Many of these children have physical, emotional or behavioral challenges. Luckily for these children, these special parents are devoted to helping their child in every way possible.
With the rise of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum as well as many other special needs, parents need information and assistance to do their job well. That’s why we have devoted this issue to parenting children with special needs. You’ll find a number of feature articles including one addressing the needs of a marriage in which parents are raising a child with special needs. We’ve also included a comprehensive special needs resource guide that can help parents locate recreational programs, therapists and other professionals dedicated to the care and education of the child with special needs.
It is our pleasure to provide all parents with the information and encouragement to enjoy and excel in their role as parents. Every child is a blessing – be sure to love and delight in yours today.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
