Readers Respond: What's On Your Special-Needs Parenting Wish List?

Responses: 34

By Terri Mauro, About.com Guide

...is to be believed. When someone asks our family to join them for lunch or for a playdate or for whatever activity, I wish they would believe me when I say, "Ok, we can come, but my son is a flight risk so someone will need to be with him." The usual response is that he will be just fine and I need to sit with the grown ups and relax. So I sit with the grown ups, but I can't relax. And sure enough, he wanders off and I have to run to catch him. Then someone says, "Wow. You were right." Makes me so mad. Or they would believe me when I say, "We can come for a maximum of 2 hours. Any longer than that and he just falls apart." It isn't fun to wrestle an overstimulated child away from a public place. Why do I continue to put myself in these situations? Because I guess my real wish is to just fit in and not be quite so different.
—Guest jennifer

If I could have any wish I wanted, it would be for my son to one day walk and talk. He is a 1 year old with HPE and good overall health. We are uncertain at this point if he ever will do those things, but that is my ultimate wish for him right now.
—Guest Gina

I would like a diagnosis. I guess most parents don't want a label put on their child, but I would like to find this particular label. I would love to hear from other parents going through or have been through what we are dealing with. And if that label helped us understand our child's issues and where she's coming more that would be a huge bonus.
—Guest Debbie

that my 10year old daughter could understand what a real friend was and was able to get one too. At present she calls all children her friends! She does not have any friends and the local kids only want to include her if they need an extra child and are not considerate to her needs and how dangerous it is to just leave her alone and go home without my knowledge!!
—Guest marion

I would wish for a car. Going to and school and daycare with a two year old who doesn't walk is killer on the back. I just want a cheapo car to take me where I need to go so we don't have to wake up so early. And maybe a back massage.
—Guest willow

My son Eric passed away a year ago. He had multiple disabilities, including global developmental delay and some pretty serious health issues. Despite his challenges, he had a lot to offer. He inspired everyone who worked with him to do a little better; his smile lit up a room and would make your day brighter; he really was the best teacher I ever had. He certainly had an impact on his immediate family and those who supported him. I wish our extended family and neighbours would have recognized that all of that, but unfortunately they didn't. Inclusion starts in the family and from the response from ours, I quickly understood why it's so difficult to achieve with society as a whole. I wish they would have seen in Eric what I did.
—Guest Lisa

a cure. I wish that no parent or child would ever have to go through autism or developmental delay.
—Guest SweetPea84

I wish my sister whom I have always been very close with would try to get to know my 6year old daughter with AS. She lets my older daughter stay over night, but barely knows my daughter with AS. I have never been on a weekend alone with my fiance, or even spent one whole day together. It would be nice to have my sister take both of my girls as I had done for her when her kids were young.
—Guest Mysti

I'd love to have a day when hugs and kisses come easily for my 7 y.o. son, as it is, I have to ask permission. I want to be physically close to him and it seems like I haven't held his body in a long time. He just doesn't snuggle or want to sit next to anyone.
—jb0105

I wish my beautiful son would make a friend, someone that would call on him for a playdate each week! Seek him out on long weekends for fun.
—Guest mmammaamia

I wish for my mother to show my special needs son some time instead of gifts. My son is a very loving child to anyone, and his own grandmother doesn't understand any of his needs or accomplishments in life. I wish she would take him sometime while me and my husband go away for the weekend and not worry about how he is doing.
—Guest shiconad

I wish for a calm simple bath no crying, screaming, and a day without tantrums over everything under the sun. And a quiet afternoon to just read a book.
—loverbug2503

one day without a tantrum over dressing, toileting, the tv remote, or bathing; being able to listen to the radio in the car on a trip; not having to be constantly on guard; being able to go out to eat without a "melt-down".
—lgoble73

That our families were closer. My family lives out of state and my husband's family lives all over the place. My husband and I are alone and don't have family to provide babysitting. We have a small handful of friends we (reluctantly) ask to watch our daughter for a few hours so we can go out for a quick dinner or movie. We only get date nights about 3-4 times a year. Our 10yr anniversary is coming up in 1 week and I wish the two of us could go somewhere for the weekend.
—HDWest

I wish that some of the people who decided I was just a dreadful parent, before we got a diagnosis, would acknowledge that maybe they didn't know everything, and maybe I was doing my very best with the child whom I know much better than they do. I wish they would consider our reality, and affirm that our kids are doing pretty good considering everything. And I wish that those people who dissed anyone who reads this, would also find the heart to affirm and apologize where it's needed. I'm not the only one who's been looked down on because my kids are different.
—Guest sylrayj

Terri Mauro
Children With Special Needs Guide

Explore Children With Special Needs

Must Reads