Grief. Guilt. Exhaustion. I’ve heard lately from parents who are tired, grieving, hopeful, and wondering how to keep moving forward. Matthew Lyle Mooney joined me to answer questions from families experiencing disability.
Here are two questions and responses that stood out to me from our conversation:
“My child received a disability diagnosis. Is it okay to grieve?”
Matt says:
“Grief is any time there’s a gap between the realities of life and what you expected.”
“Being honest and open that this is not what I expected… is a portal for you to begin to love the actual life that you have.”
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“I feel guilty that I can’t do it all. How do I let go of guilt?“
• Ask yourself: “What would I say to another parent in my shoes?” Extend the grace to yourself that you would give to other parents.
• Prioritize what matters most this season. Let your “no” make space for a more meaningful “yes.”
• Release comparison. Your family’s rhythm doesn’t have to match anyone else’s.
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And I love this quote:
“If you believe your child is a gift… that changes the way you think about your child’s future, their involvement in their church, their involvement in their community.”
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There’s lots more!
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
What If I’m Just Exhausted? {Questions from Disability Parents} with Matt Mooney
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