So I was just reading an interesting article, and it made me think about all those typical siblings out there. How many typical kids in your school or in your classroom, have a sibling who has special needs? Are the teachers aware of these special circumstances? Are the students aware?Our oldest son is no longer in public school, as he is now homeschooled. Because of circumstances beyond our control, homeschooling turned out to be the most suitable option; however, this is not an option for many. After reading this article, I really bagan to think about how difficult it must be for typical siblings in school, when there is so much going on behind the scenes. When my son told his teacher that his little brother ripped up or ate his homework, he wasn't kidding. Yes, it's a child's responsibility to keep up with their homework, but most kids don't encounter the tenacious, sometimes destructive behaviors,or flash-like super human speed, that a special needs child can sometimes display. How often do children get to tell their teachers that their little brother has kept them up for nearly 30 straight hours, and that's why they can't concentrate or keep falling asleep in class? This used to be a common occurrence in our lives. What about those times when little brother is hospitalized or even in a coma, but big brother has to go to school anyway? There are just times that mom and dad have to pick and choose which days are most important for big brother to miss. But just because big brother is present and accounted for at school, it doesn't really mean that he is there. It breaks my heart to think about how hard it must have been all those times for him to concentrate, knowing what was going on with his family. Let's talk about those times when you board a plane and fly to a different state to get medical care for little brother...is it fair to expect big brother to stay 1300 miles back home? How can you teach family unity if you don't include the whole family in every aspect of life? Or how about those times that big brother is late because little brother needed changing at the last minute, had a medical emergency, or had a tantrum and wouldn't get into the car? Yeah it's a lot to think about and you become the queen of prioritizing when it comes to balancing the life of a typical child on one side of the scale and the life of a child with special needs on the other. Next, how about the enormous amount of time that it takes to care for little brother? Oftentimes, the typical sibling learns to fend for himself. It's not that he/she is loved any less but they often get tired of waiting for their turn, so they just do for themselves. Sometimes, no matter how hard, we as parents try, we just can't control everything. There are days that I wish I could clone myself. Don't misunderstand what I am saying. I love our life and I love our family. After 12yrs, this is totally normal to us...we just think everyone else's lives are the abnormal ones 😜. But there comes a time when siblings just need/deserve a little extra attention. There will be days when school is harder for them, than it is for most of their friends in their class. Will you be the teacher who knows and understands your students needs or will you be the one to ignore that child in need? An extra hug, a pat on the back, or simply understanding the need and accommodating for that day, just may make a difference in that child's life. Teachers are educated in many areas but this seems to be an area that is severely lacking in many cases. Again, I'm not complaining. I have two amazing boys. My oldest son loves his little brother, despite some of his quirky ways, lol. He has grown in so many ways and I know that this experience has shaped him into a more compassionate well-rounded individual. In a sense, I have two uniquely, special boys, whom I love dearly. I'm just saying that sometimes we can't control life and we have to accommodate for that, based on one's unique situation. The life of a sibling to a special needs child,comes with unique challenges, as well as, unique joys. It's difficult for those who haven't experienced it, to fully understand...but just make an effort. You could change a child's life. Anyway, stepping down off my soap box and handing the mic off to someone. Time for this old lady to get some sleep! |
