Recently I have had the pleasure of discovering two
beautiful books about parenting children with special needs. These two books, Different Dream Parenting and A Different Dream for My Child, offer reassurance, comfort, and
practical information. The author, Jolene Philo, utilized her experiences as a
special needs teacher, as a parent caring for a child with special healthcare
needs, and as a person filled with faith to create two powerful guides.
In creating my own book, Uncommon Beauty: Crisis Parenting From Day One, I
focused on the first year of dealing with a healthcare crisis. However Philo’s books take the reader
from unexpected complications at birth all the way to addressing issues of
adult independence. Throughout the
journey Philo encourages parents to rely on their faith, offering inspirational
quotes and reflections.
Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a
Child with Special Needs is divided into six sections: Hospital Life, Juggling Two Worlds,
Long-Term Care Condition, Losing a Child, Raising a Survivor. Philo engages the reader with pertinent
topics, informative case histories, useful tip boxes, helpful resource lists,
prayers and bible verses. These
easy to read sections are woven together to create a welcome port in the storm
of parenting a child with special needs.
Loaded with useful information, there is something for all parents in
this book. I have a long list of
resources Philo cited that I look forward to exploring (books, blogs, websites,
organizations).
A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of
Critically or Chronically Ill Children is a beautiful companion book. The 60 short meditations offer hope and
strength during challenging times.
One could open to any meditation, read it in just a few minutes, and
come away with a hopeful outlook to continue on a difficult journey.
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