30 Hope and Help for Parenting a Child with Special Needs
Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Release Date: 11/07/2019
Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: We all want to help. When we hear someone whose been given a devastating diagnosis, we want to try to help make things better. Or, at least make things less bad. But, sometimes, inadvertently, we can say and do things that cause more harm than good. Through my history with cancer and my husband's history with cancer, we've learned a few things. So in this replay of a conversation I had with Amy Connell, I'm going to share some insights that I think you'll find helpful so you can know how best to help a friend with cancer. This episode not only sheds light on the emotional and...
info_outline 261 How Your CORE Strength Can Bring Freedom and Empowerment in Your HealthYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
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info_outline 260 Hope Amidst Hardship: Breaking the Cycle of Generational PovertyYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
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info_outline 259 What Is Sexual Abuse and Offering Hope for SurvivorsYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Join me with Melissa Heiland as we talk about an important but sensitive topic: what is sexual abuse, and how we can offer hope for sexual abuse survivors. In the US, 10% of all children experience some form of sexual abuse before they turn 18. These numbers are likely low since sexual abuse is underreported. The victims are most likely to be female (75%), but these numbers are rapidly changing as boys are increasingly the targets of molesters. A whopping 90% of the children who are abused know their abuser which often points to a family member, teacher, scout...
info_outline 258 How to Hold Onto Faith While Waiting for HealingYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Dr. Michelle Bengtson joins David Robison of LifeToday to explore the challenging journey of maintaining faith during periods of waiting for healing. Drawing from her personal struggles and professional insights as a neuropsychologist, Dr. Bengtson shares about the emotional, physical, and spiritual pain that tests our faith. Through her new book, "The Hem of His Garment," she offers hope, encouragement, and practical advice to those navigating the complexities of pain and waiting. Join us as we discuss the importance of pressing into faith, the biblical examples of those who...
info_outline 257 The Truth About Anxiety in Motherhood: How to Overcome Overwhelm and FearYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: All moms worry, right? Motherhood tempts many moms to worry, especially about the wellbeing of their children. Are they breathing? How can I keep them healthy? What if they don’t make friends at school? But for moms who experience anxiety, worry quickly elevates into debilitating overwhelm, fear, and doubt. This can make normal tasks of motherhood overwhelming and joy-less. Courtney Devich and I share the truth about anxiety in motherhood and how to overcome overwhelm and fear. Quotables from the episode: Many moms believe the adage, “I’m a mom, it’s my...
info_outline 256 Lessons You Can Learn from Broken FriendshipsYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Relationship conflict can be difficult. Can good come from broken relationships? How do deal with mutual friends after a breakup? How do we get over the pain of friendships that end? And how does Jesus teach us to be a good friend? Join me with Jessica Van Roekel for Lessons You Can Learn from Broken Friendships. Quotables from the episode: It could be safe to say we become God’s enemy when we harbor the sin of unforgiveness in our heart, which is why we must be careful not to point fingers at our ex-friend. Jesus tells us to take care of the log in our own eye before...
info_outline 255 How to Heal After a Friendship BreakupYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
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info_outline 253 How To Find Your Natural Prayer Style and Unleash Your Prayer PotentialYour Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Do you ever feel uncomfortable praying in public? Do you ever envy the prayer-life or prayer style of others after you hear them pray? Do you ever feel guilty for not praying more like those you admire? What if I assured you that God is more interested in your heart and in having a relationship than he is the eloquence of your prayers? Join me with Janet McHenry to discover how your personality influences your prayer life and learn practical ways to pray so that you find your natural prayer style. Quotables from the episode: I started prayerwalking in the fall of...
info_outlineIf you are the parent or relative of a special needs child or support a friend who is, then today is the perfect show for you.
Misty is the parent to a son who had grand mal seizures and was eventually diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis and PANDAS. The strep virus went to his brain and began to attack his brain, leaving him with multiple deficits. He was born with club feet, rarely slept the first three years of his life, had severe sensory sensitivity, had delayed speech, and required multiple hospitalizations. She felt very much alone because none of her friends could relate, and she homeschooled her children which further isolated them.
In this episode Misty shares how she and her husband found hope despite parenting a child with special needs. She offers insight for other parents with a child with special needs, as well as for how friends and family can support parents with a child with special needs. God knew each of us before we were knit in our mother’s womb, and He has a purpose and a plan for each of us. Remembering this is crucial for parents with a child with special needs. He has given you your child because He knew you were the best parent this child could have. Now lean into Him for wisdom and direction.
Quotables from the episode:
- You are never alone on your journey. Life is hard, but God is always there with us
- God entrusts our children to us. He knows out of all the parents, who are the perfect parents for our children. Nonetheless, He wants us to seek Him for wisdom in our parenting endeavors. It’s not our responsibility for us to have all the answers, but if we seek Him, He will guide us.
- We have no control. We’d like to think that we have control over our lives but we don’t. But if God has allowed something to come into our lives, God is good, and He loves us, and we can trust that His sovereign hand has allowed it to happen, and we can learn and grow from it. No matter what that circumstance is, He is our hope, and He will see us through it.
- God loves us for who we are, just right where we are. We don’t have to do anything to earn His love.
- Parents of special needs children share some universal struggles. They tend to feel alone, and for that it helps to be in community both with other parents of special needs children, but also with parents of children that don’t have special needs.
- It’s so important that parents of special needs children, and all parents really, take care of themselves because if we won’t take care of ourselves, we are not going to be able to care for those God has entrusted to us.
- During those times when we feel like we aren’t cut out for parenting, shifting our perspective to one of gratitude and praise makes all the difference. Yes, parenting is hard, especially a child with special needs, but it also affords some blessings we wouldn’t have had otherwise, like meeting different people, and even traveling to different places because of their medical care.
- Also, cling to God’s word because it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Get into the word and pray. Be expectant that God wants to answer you. Recognize your child as the blessing that he/she is from the Lord, and look for the joy afforded to you by having them in your presence.
Scripture References:
- Psalm 139:13, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
- Psalm 127:3-5, “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!”
- Matthew 19:14, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Recommended Resources:
- “The Struggle is Real: But So Is God” by Misty Phillip
https://amzn.to/2Nss92P - https://drmichellebengtson.com/trusting-children-to-fathers-care/
- https://drmichellebengtson.com/8-simple-prayers-to-pray-daily-for-our-children/
- https://drmichellebengtson.com/no-labeling-my-child/
- https://drmichellebengtson.com/trouble-communicating-with-my-child-on-the-autism-spectrum/
- https://drmichellebengtson.com/does-my-child-have-attention-problems/
- “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N
- “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
- https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J
- “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2yMdN46
Social Media Links for Host and Guest:
- https://mistyphillip.com
- https://www.facebook.com/misty.phillip/
- https://www.instagram.com/mistyphillip/
- https://twitter.com/mistyphillip
- https://www.pinterest.com/mistyphillip/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-phillip-135924b3/
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
- To order Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: https://drmichellebengtson.com/breaking-anxietys-grip/
- To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
- Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/
- Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson
- Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/
Guest: Misty Phillip
Misty Phillip is passionate about helping women overcome challenges in life by seeking Jesus, studying the Word and growing in grace. Founder and host of the By His Grace Podcast, sought after speaker at MistyPhillip.com. Misty is the author of The Struggle is Real: But So is God Bible Study.