Parenting the siblings of children with special needs has its own challenges. The children are experiencing an entire array of mixed emotions and may feel left out or even neglected when they see how much attention their sick sibling is getting. They may also feel guilt for feeling this way. They are only children, trying to understand a difficult situation.
As a parent you may need a little extra help. The following list has recommended books to help you parent your other kids when you have a child with special needs. This list was compiled by the University of Michigan Health System.
Here are some recommended books on parenting siblings of kids with special needs?
- It Isn’t Fair! Edited by Stanley D. Klein and Maxwell J. Schleifer
Presents a wide range of perspectives on the relationship of siblings to children with disabilities, written by parents, young adult siblings, younger siblings, and professionals. The issues of fairness, expectations, rewards, punishments, caretaking responsibilities, and negative feelings are all thoroughly discussed. - Living with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs: A Book for Siblings, by Donald Meyer and Patricia Vadasy.
May be useful for both parents and children to read. - Brothers and Sisters: A Special Part of Exceptional Families, by Thomas Powell and Peggy Gallagher.
- Siblings Without Rivalry, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.
A real classic—a quick and easy read with powerful techniques you can start using right away. - How to Cope with Mental Illness in Your Family: A Self Care Guide for Siblings, Offspring and
- Parents, by Diane Marsh, Rex Dickens and E. Fuller Torrey.
- When Madness Comes Home: Help and Hope for the Children, Siblings and Partners of the Mentally Ill, by Victoria Secunda.”
You can get more information about the topic, ‘Siblings of kids with special needs’ by visiting this page: http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/specneed.htm
Other activities you can do with your well children to open up the lines of communication and help them to dissipate their fears and anxieties are:
- Choose a special activity to do alone with each child.
- Help each child develop and nurture their own individual talents.
- Make sure to set aside a little time each week to spend with each individual child.
- Look for opportunities for your children to talk freely with you.
- Paint or sculpt some modelling clay together.
- Invite a special someone to come over and visit. Even if you’re too busy to give each child a large amount of your personal time, maybe grandma or grandpa can come over and give them lots of extra attention.
- Stay involved and interested in what they are doing in school.
When your child with special needs requires medical care at home, you can count on pediatric home care.
If you or a loved one are considering Pediatric Home Care Services in Hialeah FL, contact the caring staff at Providence Healthcare Services. We provide services in all of Miami Dade county and the Upper Keys. Call today (305) 680-5349.
