Six Ways to Support Families With a Special-Needs ChildSample

6 | Get Practical

If you really want to go the extra mile to support your friend or family member who is parenting a special-needs child, get practical and meet a need.

What is a need that you have the means to meet? Can you give time, energy, and financial support? Maybe you want to offer to babysit their child, so mom and dad can go on a much-needed date to reconnect. Maybe you want to take your friend out to lunch just to talk and spend time listening and giving them some time away from their role as a parent to just laugh and enjoy an afternoon out.

Maybe you want to eliminate some stress and pay for some takeout for dinner so they can enjoy an easy meal. Maybe you see laundry piling up and can offer to take a few loads to do at your house.

Even if they don’t take you up on your offers, the fact that you cared and wanted to help will be an encouragement to their hearts.