Special Needs Parents, What Do You Wish Other People Understood?

Beyond the fact that you're seriously tired.

When you have kids you often meet people who don’t understand what you’re going through as a parent.

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But when you’re a special needs parent almost everyone doesn’t understand what you’re going through.

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It can be very frustrating, and make you wish that people understood, for example, that it can be lonely for both you and your kid.

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Lots of people stare but not too many make conversation — and you want to talk! You want to make friends, too, even if it's sometimes hard for you to relate to other parents' conversations.

You probably also wish they knew that when you say “no” a lot it isn’t a rebuke on your friendships.

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You have a harder time getting away for things, but you hope your friends keep asking.

And — most importantly — that beyond what anyone may see is an amazing, loving kid.

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So tell us: What do you wish people understood about being a special needs parent?

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Share yours in the comments below and it may appear in a future BuzzFeed article!