By: Sarah Thompson
It’s a common sentiment among parents—each one believes their child is a remarkable little being. From the day my son was born, I sensed he was destined for something special. Watching him transition from a tiny infant to a young teenager has been a journey filled with wonder.
As I’ve navigated the ups and downs of parenting, my understanding of what it means to be a successful parent has shifted. In his early years, I spent countless evenings helping him learn to read, write, and tackle those pesky multiplication tables. However, when he hit 3rd grade, I started to notice that his struggles in math and writing seemed to go beyond the typical learning curve. I convinced myself he was just a “late bloomer,” but the reality was different. Each study session turned into a battlefield of tears and frustration, leaving us both feeling defeated.
I knew my son was smart, imaginative, and full of creativity. He could spin intricate stories and create beautiful artwork. Yet, I was perplexed that while he could illustrate detailed pictures, he was often confused about letter and number placement. After several discussions with his school, they suggested he might have ADHD, attributing his difficulties to a lack of attention.
My mother’s intuition kicked into overdrive. I sensed there was more to the story. After researching options, I discovered a local learning center that offered psychoeducational assessments. Hopeful for some clarity, I took him in for testing.
After a thorough evaluation, the psychologist revealed that my son faced learning disabilities in reading, writing, and math. While he was indeed bright, his processing speed was slower than that of his peers, and his input/output ratio took longer. Part of me was relieved to finally have answers, but I also felt lost. I had hoped for a straightforward solution that would turn things around quickly. Listening to other parents celebrate their honor roll kids made me question my abilities as a parent, wondering if I could have done more.
Now armed with knowledge, I was determined to support my son as he learned about his challenges without damaging his fragile self-esteem. As he approaches 8th grade, we’ve made significant progress, but the journey has not been without its hurdles. There were nights when I found myself in tears after hearing classmates call him names or when a teacher made him feel inferior. He has undergone years of counseling, academic support, and IEP meetings. I’ve learned how to advocate for him, and as he matures, I’m teaching him to do the same.
I often share inspiring stories of successful individuals with learning disabilities to remind him that it’s possible to thrive despite the odds. I see so much potential in him, and although I see parents proudly displaying honor roll stickers, I wish I had a sticker that said, “My child faces challenges but rises above them” or “My child isn’t on the honor roll, but he is resilient.” Life doesn’t always fit into neat categories; sometimes, it’s a bit messy, and that’s perfectly okay.
If I could impart one piece of wisdom to my children, it would be this: my greatest hope for them is to live fulfilled, happy lives true to themselves.
“Crossing the beach, the giant sea turtle looks awkward, kicking up sand and dragging itself slowly. But once it enters the water, that giant sea turtle dives deeper, swims more gracefully, and lives longer than most other animals in the ocean. If your child can make it through the difficulties inherent in the beach of school and make it to the water of life, she will be successful. And if you can change the nature of school to be more like life, where you can rely on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses, you will start seeing success that much sooner.” (Adapted from The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Ben Foss)
In summary, every child has their own path to success. It’s essential to embrace their journey, recognize their unique strengths, and support them in overcoming challenges. As parents, our role is to ensure they feel loved and valued for who they are, regardless of whether they make the honor roll.