Article By: Dee Jones, President of Light 2 World, Inc.

With a national shortage of certain pediatric medications and parents returning to the office, life has definitely changed for our children with disabilities. The past few months have been challenging, and self-regulation is certainly a struggle for kids with disabilities. This struggle is real for parents also. How do we help our little ones self-regulate as warm weather approaches?

First, self-regulation involves the “ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a healthy and constructive way”. Children with self-regulation issues struggle at home and in school. Adults struggle as well. I was in a hotel lobby late at night. A younger woman was sitting by a fake fireplace. We exchanged pleasantries and noticed how calming the fake fireplace was. She shared how difficult it was to focus on one thing at a time (even as an adult). So many thoughts would be swirling in her head and she could not complete one task. She would get punished as a young girl because she could not concentrate and did not complete her work.

This may sound familiar. I asked what would have helped her as a child. She noted that punishment did not help. Support and understanding is what she needed. My son’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) contains a few helpful aids such as emotion cards and naming games to help identify his feelings.

As we plan for a new school year and summer vacations, consider the following suggestions:

  • Breathing exercises such as 4-7-8 (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 9)
  • Positive self-talk encourages students to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Create a list and post them at home and in the classroom.
  • Use visual supports such as emotion charts that display different emotions and coping strategies that match each emotion.

Second, parents learn to advocate for their children through the support of teachers, doctors, and community. One of the best ways to support your child is through church and prayer. The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” still rings true. It also takes a praying village to encourage parents not to give up.

During a trip to the barber, a parent shared how his son walked up to a stranger and began talking to him. The gentlemen put his hat on the child, they continued to talk so (his dad) did not interfere.

It was the man’s turn for a haircut, so the child hugged the man, whispered in his ear, then said, “AMEN”. A few days later the barber called the father to share that the “man with the hat” told him that he was going to kill himself that day, but a little boy talked to him and gave him a hug. In that moment, the man with the hat decided that he wanted to live.

Finally, children have struggles and challenges, but they also have gifts and special ways of showing love. Church is where children can learn about unconditional love and ways to express this wonderful emotion to those in need. As you are setting up the IEP, the doctor appointment, and your community support group, don’t forget your faith community and prayer.

Below is a list of scripture to pray over your beautiful child:

  • Ephesians 2:3-5 reminds us to pray for our child’s salvation.
  • Isaiah 40:11 tells us to surrender our child to God.
  • Luke 2:52 is a scripture for the child’s growth and development.
  • Proverbs 25:11 helps us pray for our child’s speech.
  • Jeremial 29:11 is a beautiful scripture about the future and God’s plan for your child.
  • John 14:27 is about the giver of peace for you and your child.
  • Proverbs 18:24 is a scripture you can pray for your child’s friends.
  • Scripture is an intentional way to pray over every area of your child’s life.

Note this example. Ephesians 6:1 say, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” A prayer from this scripture could be:

Lord, thank you for my child/children. Help me to be the parent You want me to be. May my child/children have examples of godly adults in the community, schools, and in church that he/she can trust. Help my child/children to obey us and others in authority. Thank you, Lord for the blessing of parenthood. Help me see and love this child/children through your eyes. Amen.

There is power in God’s Word, and there’s also power in prayer. When you combine those two, miracles can happen, and lives can be saved. May prayer be your first line of defense. It is the best way to advocate for your child as you plan for a peaceful summer and new school year.

Resources:

Read more articles from VOM Magazine here: www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine