Parents

Navigating Sexual Abuse-For Parents

Navigating Sexual Abuse-For Parents

This post is a continuation of our series on sexual abuse trauma and prevention. Today’s blogger is Brianna Edwards, LMHC and Registered Play Therapist.

Good Touch, Bad Touch: Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Parents

Good Touch, Bad Touch: Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Parents

Guest bloggers Gail Averette and Sheila Sullivan share helpful tips and approaches for parents of teens and adult children with disabilities to help prevent sexual abuse. Join us on October 27 as Gail and Sheila will share tips and strategies for ministry leaders to prevent sexual abuse.

Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix

Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix

My children have autism. The children at our church are great with our kids: patient, kind, accepting and open to them. I am thankful, but—that is not enough. I want them to have authentic, organic friendships with people their own age. Here are four questions to help churches be places where the neurotypical and neurodivergent can grow together.

Special Needs Parents are Candles, Burning Between Hope and Despair

Special Needs Parents are Candles, Burning Between Hope and Despair

Parents of children with special needs are often labeled negatively: ‘troublemakers,’ ‘confrontational,’ ‘needy,’ ‘over-sharing.’ The reason we (as yes, I’m one too) can sometimes pick up some of these negative labels is that we won’t take no for an answer when it comes to our child. Why do we enter into conversations, meetings and appointments with our boxing gloves firmly on? Because the world cannot understand.

Lord, How Can My Child Know You?

Lord, How Can My Child Know You?

On this particular morning, several years ago, my Bible reading for the day took me to Romans 10:9-10, the Scriptures that lay out God’s path to salvation. What wasn’t so clear to me was how my son, who suffered with cognitive disabilities, would be able to meet these requirements. “How, LORD,” I asked, “is Myles gonna be able to receive salvation?”

The Antidote to a Culture of Anger: Bearing Fruit

The Antidote to a Culture of Anger: Bearing Fruit

We have become incredibly angry. We are spiteful and hateful and bored. Jesus, what do we do with this? How do we fix it, Lord? The answer to most of my questions included a simple, time honored truth: we are to bear fruit.

Why You Should Care About Special Needs

Why You Should Care About Special Needs

It can be difficult to understand the complexities of raising a child with special needs if this calling is not part of your existence. You should care, because children with special needs are the least of the least of the least of these.

14 Truths from God's Word To Reassure and Encourage Caregivers

14 Truths from God's Word To Reassure and Encourage Caregivers

Families affected by disabilities and other special needs live with a certain amount of chronic stress and uncertainty. Due to the unforeseen challenges of 2020, my typical capacity for coping with pressures is compromised these days. This is true for every family caregiver I know. Here are fourteen faith-anchoring reassurances from Scripture you can offer those who are ready to be reminded of God’s truth.

An Open Letter to a Disability-Friendly Church Leader

An Open Letter to a Disability-Friendly Church Leader

Dear leader in a disability-friendly church: I am the parent of a child with special needs who appreciates you so much. I understand this is a complicated season to serve in ministry. May God keep you brave and persistent. I am also praying God will help us all work together in finding solutions that fit our family and our church.

Tips for Parents to Talk With Kids About Mental Health

Tips for Parents to Talk With Kids About Mental Health

I believe Christian parents and church leaders have a responsibility to educate youth in many areas of life, not to hide and protect them, but to empower and equip them as they grow. One area where kids need equipping should be mental health. Here are seven tips on how to talk with kids about mental illness.