Parenting can be difficult and tiring, especially when you have a special needs child with medical, behavioral, or educational issues. In Different Dream Parenting, author Jolene Philo offers guidance and encouragement through biblical insights and her own personal experiences. Find spiritual wisdom, practical resources, and tools that can help you become an extraordinary advocate for your child. Discover how you can move beyond the challenges and experience the joy of being your childs biggest and best supporter.
Different Dream Parenting
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About the Author
Jolene Philo has published numerous articles on parenting a special needs child and preparing children for a hospital stay and is also the author of A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of Critically or Chronically Ill Children. She is a contributor to a regional monthly women's magazine and speaks regularly around the country. She and her husband live in Boone, Iowa.
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Customer Reviews
“ This book which offers insights and practical advice as well as comfort for those in the early stages of their journey with a child with special needs. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By thinkabink
Format:Paperback
One of the hardest things for me to describe about my experiences as the mom of a child with some special needs is how lonely it sometimes feels. It's weird for me to say this because I have wonderful family and friend support. There is a plethora of people available to hear me and help me, should I need them. But I find it difficult to always adequately express what is bothering me about my 5-year-old daughter, diagnosed with Noonan Syndrome at 15-months old. Though I am a writer, there are just some worries I can't put into words. Often, there's no concrete reason for my concern... it's just a feeling I have. And let me tell you, for moms, and especially those of children with issues, feelings are our inner Garmin.
Have you ever heard the principle of Aristotle that is taught in law school? Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. That one theory best encompasses my experience as the mom of a child with special needs. So much of what I experience with her isn't tangible. It can't be seen. Often it can't be put into words. But still, I know it's there. And often, that's why I feel alone. Because how do you share something you can't even put into words. How do you share the shadow of a feeling?
I think that's what I appreciate most about the Different Dream books, and in particular, Different Dream Parenting. From the first page I felt understood by people I'd never met who are in situations completely different from mine. They know what it's like to chase a feeling and feel like you're chasing your tail. They know what it means to know your child so well, to be so connected to your child, that with just one look you know something is wrong... even if there are no obvious signs. It's vindicating, I tell you.
I appreciate greatly how this book takes the words of parents and follows it up with supporting scripture, and advice from physicians and experts. Prior to reading this book, it never occurred to me that children who've gone through medical trauma could suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But it makes so much sense. Reading that in the book was a head-slapping moment for me. Duh! Of course something like medical trauma could result in PTSD for a child. Why didn't I think of that? Probably because my head is a constant jumble of other worries and concerns. And even though I don't believe my child suffers from PTSD, that section of the book really helped explain to me why my daughter freaks out when anyone in scrubs comes her way. Or why she won't look her doctors in the eye and stares at the ground and hangs on to me for dear life when they're around. It explains why they have to strap her down at the dentist. I can't tell you how awful it feels to hear your child screaming as you sit in the waiting room. And then to see your child emerge from a simple dental procedure, with her face swollen and red, and her body marked from the straps that held her down, is, in a word, horrible. Sometimes I think I may have PTSD from having been the sole witness to such situations over the past five years. Though I don't believe my daughter actually remembers all the poking and prodding and testing and hospitalizations that came prior to her diagnosis, I do believe she knows it happened. It stuck with her. And knowing such behavior isn't uncommon for kids in her situation is comforting to me.
Different Dream Parenting is chapter after chapter of such realizations for me. Lots of "ah-ha!" moments. Most of all, the book puts all these things in perspective. Yes, our experiences are ours and they're all relative, but it's so calming and even vindicating to know there are others who feel how I feel... and know what I know: From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48).
I am up to the challenge.
Have you ever heard the principle of Aristotle that is taught in law school? Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. That one theory best encompasses my experience as the mom of a child with special needs. So much of what I experience with her isn't tangible. It can't be seen. Often it can't be put into words. But still, I know it's there. And often, that's why I feel alone. Because how do you share something you can't even put into words. How do you share the shadow of a feeling?
I think that's what I appreciate most about the Different Dream books, and in particular, Different Dream Parenting. From the first page I felt understood by people I'd never met who are in situations completely different from mine. They know what it's like to chase a feeling and feel like you're chasing your tail. They know what it means to know your child so well, to be so connected to your child, that with just one look you know something is wrong... even if there are no obvious signs. It's vindicating, I tell you.
I appreciate greatly how this book takes the words of parents and follows it up with supporting scripture, and advice from physicians and experts. Prior to reading this book, it never occurred to me that children who've gone through medical trauma could suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But it makes so much sense. Reading that in the book was a head-slapping moment for me. Duh! Of course something like medical trauma could result in PTSD for a child. Why didn't I think of that? Probably because my head is a constant jumble of other worries and concerns. And even though I don't believe my child suffers from PTSD, that section of the book really helped explain to me why my daughter freaks out when anyone in scrubs comes her way. Or why she won't look her doctors in the eye and stares at the ground and hangs on to me for dear life when they're around. It explains why they have to strap her down at the dentist. I can't tell you how awful it feels to hear your child screaming as you sit in the waiting room. And then to see your child emerge from a simple dental procedure, with her face swollen and red, and her body marked from the straps that held her down, is, in a word, horrible. Sometimes I think I may have PTSD from having been the sole witness to such situations over the past five years. Though I don't believe my daughter actually remembers all the poking and prodding and testing and hospitalizations that came prior to her diagnosis, I do believe she knows it happened. It stuck with her. And knowing such behavior isn't uncommon for kids in her situation is comforting to me.
Different Dream Parenting is chapter after chapter of such realizations for me. Lots of "ah-ha!" moments. Most of all, the book puts all these things in perspective. Yes, our experiences are ours and they're all relative, but it's so calming and even vindicating to know there are others who feel how I feel... and know what I know: From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48).
I am up to the challenge.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having raised foster kids with special needs and worked with many others in schools, I know quite a bit about the subject of parenting them. Without doubt this book is the most helpful one on the topic I've ever seen. It's loaded with practical advice and resources for every stage of the lives of special kids from birth to adulthood and even includes a section about death of a special child. The book has a strong Christian message, but even readers who are not religious will find the vast collection of helpful information worth the purchase price. If Amazon allowed, I'd give Different Dream Parenting more than five stars.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Different Dream Parenting by Jolene Philo is a parent's handbook to navigating the world of raising children with special needs. Jolene does a great job of covering nearly every area of this crazy, but rewarding world. In addition to great information, there are many resources and prayer guides.
This book is an excellent resource for parents who are struggling through raising a child with special needs. No matter what stage of parenting, there is practical information and guidance in this book. The way it has been divided into sections, with important information highlighted in grey boxes, a parent can pick it up and easily identify the section that is most relevant at the time. For the parent who wants to read cover to cover, the layout and style of writing makes for an easy, yet informative read.
In addition, I found the Bible verses and parent quotes at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the prayers at the end of each chapter to be very inspirational. Being able to identify a verse that addresses the issue I am dealing with always helps me to stay focused on God and His power in the situation.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any parent raising a child with special needs, but especially for a parent who has children with medical needs.
This book is an excellent resource for parents who are struggling through raising a child with special needs. No matter what stage of parenting, there is practical information and guidance in this book. The way it has been divided into sections, with important information highlighted in grey boxes, a parent can pick it up and easily identify the section that is most relevant at the time. For the parent who wants to read cover to cover, the layout and style of writing makes for an easy, yet informative read.
In addition, I found the Bible verses and parent quotes at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the prayers at the end of each chapter to be very inspirational. Being able to identify a verse that addresses the issue I am dealing with always helps me to stay focused on God and His power in the situation.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any parent raising a child with special needs, but especially for a parent who has children with medical needs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great resource for any parent raising a child with special needs!
Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a Child with Special Needs by Jolene Philo is like having a trusted friend walk beside you, sharing your burden. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ruth Snyder
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gem
As a parent of two children with special needs, I have a passion for ministry alongside children and adults with special needs. Read more
Published 16 months ago by On A Joyful Journey
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Invaluable Resource by a Highly Credible Author
Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a Child with Special Needs
Once again author Jolene Philo has reached out to parents, teachers, caregivers,... Read more
Once again author Jolene Philo has reached out to parents, teachers, caregivers,... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sensitively Written Book that Liberates
This book is an excellent resource for parents of children with special needs. It is specially arranged to aid the readers from birth to death. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dr Conrade Yap
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have!
Let me start by saying, that if you have a child with special needs, this is the book for you! Really! Read more
Published 17 months ago by ES
5.0 out of 5 stars
Passing This One On To Other Parents!
I've been reading through Different Dream Parenting. Jolene's not only a parent of a child with special needs but also a teacher. Read more
Published 17 months ago by woodsmc1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully Written
A Different Dream Parenting is a refreshing look at raising a child with special needs. It is a practical resource (charts and checklists included in the back), but at the same... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Megan Kennedy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A practical guide to raising a child with special needs
Jolene Philo's book is an invaluable help to parents and caregivers seeking to do their very best to serve their child with special needs. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Dr. G.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational Stories and Exceptional Resources
Different Dream Parenting is an amazing resource for parents of children with special needs, whether it be physical or emotional. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lori M
