Parenting

Podcast

28mins

How do I care for my child with special needs?

 Bart and Anne’s life was turned upside down when their son, Pascal, received a diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder at eight months old.

Parenting can be one of life's biggest challenges, and the journey and experience of each and every parent is unique.

As we navigate the complexities of raising and caring for children, we can experience amazing and incredible highs, but we can also be required to navigate challenging - and sometimes overwhelming - lows.

Parenting is not easy. The challenges associated with raising children are often unpredictable, highly demanding, and encountered with very little warning.
Because the journey of each individual parent and their children is unique, there is often no ‘right’ answer to some of the questions we might have as our children grow and change. The unpredictable and wide spectrum of challenges we may experience throughout our parenting journey means that we may experience a broad range of emotions in response.
Stress, frustration or hopelessness; the feeling of being overwhelmed; even feelings of sadness or isolation — all of these can be present at different times and in different situations as we navigate the demands and responsibilities of parenthood.
God – our heavenly Father – knows and understands the challenges of being a parent. He is walking with you in your parenting journey. Even when life as a caregiver is at its toughest, hardest, lowest or most difficult, God is working to strengthen and uplift you.
God loves you with the same deep, full and unconditional love a parent has for their children! And, because He loves you so fully and completely, He blesses us with friends, family and people who can offer professional support and care to help guide and support us through the many (many!) challenges of parenthood.
Across Australia and New Zealand, God blesses us with a number of organisations and services that can offer help, advice and support for both parents, and parents-to-be. For information and advice, we recommend the following online resources:

Encouragement

HOPE FROM GOD

Where Do I Start?

Begin With Prayer

Our team is available, willing and able to help, support and uphold you through prayer.

Find Strength In Sharing and Support

You are not alone in your challenge. God is truly at work in your life – and will continue working both directly, and through others.
God blesses us with counsellors, psychologists and medical professionals who are able to offer help, support, strength and hope.

Parenting: Information and Support Pack

A print-ready version of the information and advice contained on this page is available via email.

PODCAST EPISODES

Our Messages of Hope Podcast offers stories of hope, encouragement and joy - sharing insight, advice, and powerful, God-affirming moments from people who have lived experience navigating the challenges of Parenting in everyday life.

Inclusive Education

Listen as Leanne shares her story of teaching children with special needs.

Episode

You’re Not Alone

How do I cope as a single parent?

One foot in heaven, one foot on earth

How do I forgive the unforgiveable?

Inclusive Education

Inclusive education classrooms are becoming an essential part of learning for children with high support needs. But what is it really like for teachers in such a highly unpredictable environment?

You’re Not Alone

How do I cope as a single parent?

One foot in heaven, one foot on earth

How do I forgive the unforgiveable?

Booklets

Talking Openly with Kids

Few books will prepare you for communicating with your pre-teen on the issues of peer pressure, sex, drugs, violence and death.

Booklet

Parenting with Purpose

How do you parent with purpose?

Booklet

Parenting Families – Practical Strategies for the Blended Family

Life as a parent has its great moments 
 joy, pride, and more love than you thought possible.

Booklet

Know someone who may need this?

Sharing this could be the encouragment they need today. Forward this page via email or share the link.

Prayer

PRAYER REQUEST

Would you like us to pray for you?

We believe God is at work in all things, draws near in challenging circumstances, and loves each and every person fully and unconditionally.

If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, we encourage you to send us a prayer request. Our team would be happy to keep your situation in our prayers.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Support Services

Professional help is always available

Across Australia and New Zealand, God richly blesses us with counsellors, psychologists and medical professionals who are able to offer help, support and hope throughout life’s challenges.

If you are struggling with the challenges of Parenting, or you are in a position where you are supporting someone who is, we encourage you to reach out to one of the following professional support organisations.

Support Services

Lifeline
13 11 14
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
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Prayer Request

We believe God is at work in all things, draws near in challenging circumstances, and loves each and every person fully and unconditionally.

If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, we would be happy to keep your situation in our prayers.

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