Once our kidlets go off on their own, we sometimes feel lonely and in need of his or her presence. But many parents may feel less valued. All those IEP files we’ve accumulated must be worth something by now; but they are not. They become worthless dust collectors on a random shelf.
No need to feel left out, though. Let’s face it, our special student is on their own! We’ve worked hard to get him there and now it is our turn. This concept is very difficult for some parents to process. Nevertheless, it eventually becomes our reality.
Parents need support because suddenly we need something to do! If our special education learners have finally made it to college, we are not looking to cry on someone’s shoulder (except for maybe tears of joy). No, we need parental interaction because now we have extra time on our hands. We’ve earned it–this is really a time for patting ourselves on our back and celebrating our own lives.
Some parents may find that a support group will lessen the heartache. The local community center or local library will have plenty to do. The Department of Disability Services at your childs’ college should also be able to suggest some places if mental health is a concern; as well as a doctor. Finding our own voice and perhaps taking a class for ourself. Local community colleges offer certificates in a variety of fields in case we want to enhance our own skills or gain a skill to earn more money. Parents who become active and involved usually have a smoother transition if they should suddenly feel “alone.”
Get going, get involved, and find your gold! You know you want to…..
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