Have you ever walked into a doctor’s appointment ready to speak up… only to freeze the moment the doctor starts talking? You’re not alone. Caregivers tell me all the time that they leave appointments thinking: “I forgot to ask my questions.”
Drew sat across from a school team in an IEP meeting- it already felt three hours too long even though it just began. All at the table had a nameplate and title. Speech-Language Pathologist. Behavioral Consultant. Case Manager. Psychologist.
Most caregivers don’t struggle with caring. They struggle with being heard. Whether it's an IEP meeting, or a doctor’s appointment, many caregivers walk in prepared—but walk out feeling dismissed, or emotionally drained.
The night before the meeting, you’re sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by papers—progress reports, evaluation summaries, emails from teachers, and sticky notes with your questions. You know how much this meeting matters for your child.
If you’re a parent caring for a child with special needs, juggling appointments, therapies, and daily routines can feel like living in a never-ending loop of “go, go, go.” The truth? Burnout doesn’t happen all at once- it creeps up on you.
There was a time when I’d hear people talk about “self-care” and honestly want to roll my eyes. Meditate in silence? Go for a weekend retreat? I had kids at home — one with special needs — and silence wasn’t something that existed in our house.
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