Observe a day in the life of Christine Lester, and you will see that parenting a child with special needs is rocket science.

Spring is just around the corner, but guest blogger Christine Lester says spring fever has arrived at her house. In today’s guest post, Christine describes the science of parenting…and the rocket science of parenting a child with special needs.

Parenting a Child with Special Needs Is Rocket Science

My kids have spring fever.  Attention spans are lacking. The skills of following directions and safety rules have somehow become misplaced with all the lost gloves. New medical routines are getting ironed out. Needless to say its a bit chaotic. With all this comes a lot of repeating and reiterating.

Instant Meltdowns Are Not Rocket Science

One common saying is “Chew, Chew, Chew.” Telling my one child with a TEF repair to slow down while eating. Then in the next breath telling the other child to hurry up that the bus is coming.

Lately, the saying “It’s not rocket science” has crept into my vocabulary. It started with my frustration with constantly repeating myself and the daily battle with the clock. We have such strict NPO times and medicine/therapy schedules that our day revolves around exactly what time it is.  Add that to any mom’s already overflowing schedule and you’ll have instant meltdown, by mom and kids alike.

Toaster Rules Are Not Rocket Science

Already running behind, my oldest ask to make breakfast.  It shouldn’t be that hard. I explain simple toaster rules:

  • An adult needs to be in the room
  • Don’t stick anything in the toaster.

Just the basics.  To be honest after answering “why?” repeatedly, I want to just toast the bagels myself and move on. “These are the rules, it’s just not that hard… This is NOT rocket science.”

Then I heard my daughter ask “What is rocket science?” So I start my explanation while staring down a ticking clock. A second later, I’m standing with a butter knife in my hand plucked from a spiky-haired boy. It all happened so fast, all I remember is seeing the intent on his face and the knife going toward the toaster.

In my frustration, I told him again “If you put a knife in the toaster you will get electrocuted!”  Then he tried to tell me he was being careful.  My only response was ‘the look’.  When I caught my breath I said, “Please listen, you can’t put ANYTHING in the toaster. It’s dangerous. This is not rocket science.”

I see him contemplating this over his bagel and fruit. I apologize for jumping in.  I explain that I was scared that he would get hurt. We kiss and make up. Then my littlest one chimes in. “Why are we always building a rocket?” Giggling breaks out. We laugh all the way to the bus.

Parenting a Child with Special Needs Is Rocket Science

Then it made me think, sometimes having a child with special needs is just like rocket science. Everything is harder to them. The repeating, reiterating and explaining things again and again are just par for the course. Stir in some spring fever and a schedule change, and it makes everything harder. To my son, even the simplest things can be as hard as rocket science.

I know he will figure it all out eventually, he always does. He just looks at the world through different eyes. I think it’s the genius in him. Oh, and that ticking clock? It’s just irrelevant.

When is Parenting a Child With Special Needs Rocket Science for You?

Well, now you know when parenting becomes rocket science for Christine. And now I’m wondering when parenting becomes rocket science for you. Leave a comment to share your “rocket science” moments with the rest of us.

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