Hard

Mark and I have been taking a Behavioral class on Monday night with about 20 other Foster/Adoptive Parents with children with severe behaviors. I feel like I am surrounded by about 20 angels while I am in that class. To hear their stories and see how some of them are parenting alone, or with three special needs kids, or while unemployed is so humbling. The class has turned out to be more of a support group, which has been a real blessing. It is unbelievably isolating to have a child with the brain damage and special needs that Izaiah has. We are just now starting to understand it, so it is next to impossible to get others to understand it. Our parenting with Izaiah looks so much different than how we would parent a different child. It's very hard to parent in a way that feels unnatural, but we have to do what works and what is best for Izaiah. Judgment seems to permeate from everywhere when this "normal" looking child shows some of his more colorful behavior. We are working on not letting that judgment define us, or define him. I guess it's a process. If Izaiah had autism or cerebral palsy, I think people would generally be a lot more tolerant and understanding of his special needs. However, when he looks physically normal, it is hard for people to GET that regular parenting techniques do not and will not ever work with him. There needs to be more support out there for children like this and the parents that raise them. So if you think of it, please go to God on our behalf. We could use every prayer you could spare!