I had my support group for Mothers of special needs children this past Monday. I have been running this group for about a year now. It is a unique blend of support and yoga.
Oftentimes moms do not take time for themselves. This group gives them the opportunity to discuss their stressors and also have some release through yoga. We discuss all things related to their lives. One of the things that came up this group was putting on a happy face for others. This brought up the questions “when people ask how you are doing, how often do you tell the truth?” It seems not so often. It sometimes even goes to the extreme of saying everything is fine and then going home and crying.
What do people have to prove to themselves or others by n
ot being honest about their lives? It seems, at least for these women, they do not want to be a burden or maybe they feel that people may not understand. And they may have a point. When you have a child with special needs, your whole world is turned upside down. So many feelings come into play—anger, sadness, denial, and ultimately grief. The loss of what you thought your life would look like.
Perhaps eventually we can come to new-found acceptance and maybe even hope.
Believe in your power to grow,
Melissa