On the latest episode of the Expressive Mom Show, I interviewed life coach and author Laurie Wallin about her new book, Get Your Joy Back- Banishing Resentment and Reclaiming Confidence in your Special Needs Family. As a mom of four daughters, and two of them having special needs, she has found ways to find herself and to put her needs on the front burner while caring for them. She spoke about during the podcast that caregivers can actually tend to their needs while being the best parents that they can be, and how it can be done. She also discussed how it is possible to find peace and happiness even during the most stressful times.
And I do have to tell you, I found a lot of value not only in what she shared during the podcast, but I did read Get Your Joy Back and found a lot of the tips that were written in the book to be very helpful. It is a book that is geared towards the Christian market but as an individual who is not Christian, I found it to be extremely helpful and enlightening. In other words,Get Your Joy Back is great for any parent caring for a child with special needs- regardless of faith or belief. Wallin talks about many other stresses that constantly weigh us down while we are caring for our families, and she also talks about how to manage those other stresses- as well as how to work on eliminating them. What I also liked about the book was that she acknowledged one thing that is constantly overlooked- and that is that the parents have feelings and needs too. Periodically in her book she actually asked how the reader was doing, being the parent or caregiver. She didn’t ask how the children were, she asked how the reader was. I have to say it felt nice to read that. She also fully acknowledged the stresses, the hurt, the pain, the grief and other negative emotions that many parents with children with special needs have- not to mention she even pointed out the dark feelings that many struggling parents constantly have that are afraid to admit. However, she also pointed out how parents can move beyond those feelings and that it can be done. She really wrote this book while providing comfort, care and friendship. Wallin also put a humorous touch in many parts of the book too which gave it a warm touch. Get Your Joy Back is a must read for parents who are caring for children with special needs.
Connect with Laurie Wallin http://lauriewallin.com/
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Thanks for sharing. I worked with adults with developmental disabilities and came home exhausted from work everyday. I’m sure this is an extremely valuable read for mothers with special needs children. It is definitely important to take care of yourself in order to be the best mother you can be. That’s true for all mothers! <3
Thanks for sharing Monica, and it really is a valuable read for parents caring for children with special needs. I have to say I found it helpful.
Sounds like a great resource for parents of special needs children. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment Jen.
Great post! I am currently on mat leave but in my “working life” I am an educational assistant. I too come home from work exhausted most days. I have a cousin who is special needs and total care – it amazes me how my aunt and uncle can funcation on what little sleep they have gotten in the past 22 years (she is a night owl). I am defintiely going to share this post and book with them – I think it is time they put themselves on the front burner too!
Thanks for sharing Sara. Many blessings to you and your aunt, uncle and cousin.
I agree. It’s hard to find that time for stress relief with so much going on. We have been going through a medical journey with our 2 year old, and there is always something more important to do. Or so it seems. I find taking a few minuets here and there is beneficial. Thanks for the post!