Special Needs Grandkid

Right Way for Grandparents to Raise a Child with Special Needs

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Dating Tips and Advice

Q: Dear April Masini,

My daughter just made me a grandmother for the second time. I'm so thrilled of course, but the child has a severe mental handicap. While of course I'll still love it as much as they do, I sometimes get short with them because of my patience. How do I help them with their special needs child?

Sincerely,

Giving Grandma 

A:

Dear Giving Grandma, 

First and foremost just loving your grandchild because of whatever condition is the most important. Special needs children require a tremendous amount of patience and a suspension of expectations that you may have for other grandchildren who are not special needs.

* The siblings of special needs grandchildren are used to getting second best because they are not "in crisis" or "in need" and therefore don't get as much attention, typically, as the special needs sibling. Give the siblings special attention.

* Parents of special needs children need help. Babysit, don't stress the parents, and do what you can to make their lives easier.

* Don't blame anyone for the child with special needs. Don't blame the parents or the son in law's family or the daughter in law's family. Don't make the mother feel that if she hadn't smoked, or hadn't eaten so much or hadn't exercised, the child would be normal. Accept.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

Date Out Of Your League Think & Date Like a Man Ideas for a Fun Date Romantic Date Ideas

© 2004-2009 AskApril.com, LLC. All rights reserved. AskApril®, AskApril.com®, and Ask April® are registered trademarks owned by Masini Enterprises, Inc. This material can only be republished and redistributed if it is kept in it's original form, including, but not limited to, all AskApril branding, banners, links, books, and credits.