A Father's Day Reflection on Grandparents |
What Is Neurodiversity?
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Grandparents can play a positive role in a neurodivergent child's life while supporting the parent, too.
When a parent is supported, they can approach their child with more patience, love, and care.
A grandparent's role doesn't have to appear traditional.
As Father's Day approaches, I've been thinking about my dad even more than usual. He passed away five years ago and is a big part of why my neurodivergent daughter is the amazing and grounded woman she is today.
This month, I want to look back at how my daughter and I got to this point, and how my dad made it possible. I hope my reflection helps you or someone you know navigate life with a neurodivergent child, and to see the bigger and brighter picture ahead, especially on the days that feel really hard.
My dad was a baby boomer, raised at a time when physical discipline was normalized, when you were told to "suck it up," and mental health wasn't discussed. As a retired law enforcement officer, he was one tough cookie, but I knew who he really was. Besides being my rock when I was raising my neurodivergent daughter, he was a teddy bear for all his grandchildren.
When my daughter began to exhibit signs of ADHD a few years before her official diagnosis at 13, I remember how my father's initial tolerance level for her temper tantrums was slim. He was the first one to try to discipline her when she was having a meltdown and always the first one to get........