There I have said it! It’s alright to shelter and protect your child!
How many times have I heard that clanging refrain of make your child independant. You have to let them meet the nasties of this world to toughen up. From the moment your child is born you hear the push.
“they can’t cosleep, you have to let your child cry it out in their crib” 
“you have to take your child to preschool so they can become indepant, after all they are 3 years old”
“your child acts weird you need to just force him to act right” OR “a good spanking will cure that”
“middle school is a pressure cooker that will MAKE your child come out of their shell…..or not”
“Your child has to have their act together by 18 or they have failed.”
UGH! I get tired of others judging my family. Dear person standing behind us at the store you have NO IDEA what my family is going through. Your tips that are meant to fix my parenting are not welcome.
I have been in situations and heard of great situtations where parents have met on the fly in the store and been able to help each other. A friend of mine helped out another mother that had an autistic child in full meltdown and mom was very upset. My dear friend also has a child with autism so she felt comfortable stepping right in and talking with the child’s mom. What a great way to reach out and help!
On the other hand and sadly this is the more likely to happen. The mutters under the breathe. The nasty looks and outright attacks as we walk down the store lanes. This only gets worse if it’s the middle of the day in the week. I guess that is when the people that don’t like kids go to the store. My kids showing up really tics them off. Well watch out and don’t make this mama bear mad. I maybe in a wheelchair but I protect my young!
The theme of today is “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it!” please!
For these reasons and many more I will protect and shelter my special kids. Their abilities do not match what their age appears to be. I will watch and guard their hearts as zealously as I guard their minds and bodies.
Our goal is to raise up our children so they can face the world. It may take a year or two, or more for my children to handle the world and working then your “neurotypical child” but I accept that my child is a wonderful person. I long ago realized that a person turning into an adult at the age of 18 was just a legal piece of paper. My beautiful child may never be able to make those adult decisions. If that happens then neither of us have failed. We will just keep going. My responsiblity as parent doesn’t stop at any certain age.
I love my job as mom. I hope to love my job as grandma someday. I trust the Lord knows the best path for me and my children. I will relax and do our very best to progress and learn.
I am so glad you posted this. I have been in the same situation. Just yesterday, I went into a business and a lady there ( we have known for years) asked my child which school she attended. She and I both replyed that we still homeschool. The lady responded “oh, so you still don’t have her with other kids”, in a most disapproving tone. She has NO idea what it takes for my daughter to learn and what energy it takes me to go thru each day, working with her. It made me so angry! I don’t have to answer to her, but I know people like her would be the ones to call Family Services on someone that was doing the very best for their child because she thinks she knows better than we do.
I completely agree. My special child sleeps in bed cuddled in my arms where he feels safe. We practiced extended breastfeeding and I am home schooling him. He is an amazing little boy who knows he is loved more than anything in the world. He feels secure and is able to put his energy into learning and growing and playing and loving. My job description as his mother is to protect and shelter him until he is ready to be on his own and I am proud to do that job! Congratulations on doing your job as your child’s mother so well!
How nice to read this post! I actually wrote something similar! I don’t have special needs kids but I get criticized a lot for not pushing my son to be independent earlier than he is ready to be. So I understand how frustrating it is when pple make mindless comments coz really they are not us and don’t know our kids better!