Susan - I know what it's like to have family not supportive. I got so sick of people saying things like "stop babying her and she will talk" Really??
If you could continue to try to educate your parents on apraxia, or ask them to help you take the kids to therapy or doctor visits and maybe hearing it from professionals would be helpful. Maybe getting them involved in a new way with helping the kids get better would be helpful to everyone, but I realize they might not be open to that.
I know it's not an option for everyone, but family conseling could be very helpful - if they won't go, just go by yourself to get some support, and learn communication techniques for difficult people.
Dec 24, 2009 Rating
Susan by: Anonymous
Susan, I dont know what to say. I feel for you so very much. They are YOUR children and it sounds like you are doing whats best for them in the signing w/ all of your children. Maybe you could take your parents to the Dr. next time you go and see if the Dr. can't say anything to help. I wish I could say something to make you feel better or to help in any way. My heart truely goes out to you. Pray and God will bring you through it. God bless
Dec 24, 2009 Rating
In response to Susan by: Marianne
Poor Susan. I hear your pain and desperation. It sounds to me that your parents love your kids dearly, have heard what you have said about their issues, but have not yet accepted them. We need to realize that it is a process for everyone, and grand-parents often feel that they know more than we do, as through their eyes, we are still their kids, and they want to fix it for us. I found it helpful to educate my family by bringing them to speech therapy, videotaping successful communication attempts using sign, and sending them info about things over the net, articles, etc...I also found it very helpful to have my husband's support, and have him back up everything I would bring to the table. In my opinion, it would be best to set very clear limits, and put some healthy space between you and them. It will be hard, but it's an investment. Perhaps it would be fun to schedule activities with your kids and them, to even take away from the whole communication thing. For example, they get to see the kids on Saturdays, and you all go to a trip to the museum.
