🎧 Episode 14: The Unique Journey of Special Needs Parents, A Conversation with Rose Reif, MS, LCMHC, CRC
đź“ť Episode Summary:
On today’s episode, Liz talks with Rose Reif, a therapist who specializes in spousal caregivers, adults with disabilities, and parents of special needs children. Whether or not you are a special needs parent, and whether or not this experience applies to you or not, the conversation is definitely a transformative one that will bring insightful knowledge, education, and support to anyone listening. We encourage you to dive in and further your understanding with us!
đź’¬ Episode Notes:
Parenting a special needs child can be deeply loving yet profoundly isolating.
Parents often experience ongoing grief as developmental milestones differ from expectations.
Grief arises from comparing the life imagined for a child with the life that unfolds.
It’s natural and valid for parents to acknowledge sadness and grief in this experience.
One parent is often more attuned to the child’s needs than the other; alignment takes effort.
Community support for families with disabilities is growing, providing connection and understanding.
Modern culture is redefining unrealistic expectations that mothers must “do it all.”
Stress levels in mothers of special needs children mirror those of soldiers in combat.
Parents live in a constant state of “what-if” calculations, which strains the nervous system.
Balancing vigilance with self-care is essential but challenging—self-care cannot exist without boundaries.
đź“š Resources Mentioned:
đź”— Stay Connected:
Instagram: @millenniallifecounseling
Facebook: Millennial Life Counseling
Website: www.millenniallifecounseling.com