Mama Bear: Strong Advocacy - The Best Gift

We are a society built on convenience, going along with the status quo, not making waves, impressing others. We are so productivity driven that we are struggle to really reflect on our practices and make change. Understaffed public school districts are often unable to provide the basics students need and even the most elite schools will maintain their “right” to refuse to apply the simplest accommodations. I recently toured an Arizona school in an A rated district and found only a fourth of the playground in use because the support staff didn’t want to split up and get out the soccer balls. It’s laughable. Who is this system designed to serve?

It can be exhausting to be a parent in this space. It is exhausting to work in these spaces especially if you remain present.

How can you advocate? First take the time to slow down and really connect with and reflect on your kiddo and their needs. Trust what you find. Trust your gut. The parent child bond is there for a reason. You are built for this. Know you are not alone. You are seen. Trust yourself.

We need more people to approach administration and say, “why is the playground not opened when you have 150 kiddos at recess?” and, “I’m not comfortable with you using a behavior chart with my child, I find it inappropriate for them,” and “It is unacceptable to take away recess. I’m happy to help you come up with a support plan that can be implemented to prevent dysregulation.” We need more families to come to IEP meetings with advocates, more caregivers to suggest goals to their IEP team, more people to question the status quo, ask difficult questions and ask for their needs to be met.

It’s inconvenient to spend the extra time to chew on a student’s needs. To look at a situation from all angles, to research. Our healthcare and educational system allows no time for this.

In my experience, the “easy” family that goes along with whatever the school team suggests, often ends up with lessened outcomes when compared to the outcomes from a child with strong parental advocacy.

It is our job as parents to change the system one child at a time. It is our job as parents to be their voice, and to model to them that their needs are important, that they matter. Trust yourself, have the hard conversations, question authority, and advocate for what your child deserves.