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Better Than OK: Finding Joy as a Special-Needs Parent
“Every day is joyful. Every day is a gift. Every day I can thank God from the bottom of my heart.”
Kelly Mantoan wasn’t always able to say these words. As a mother of five children, two with profound disabilities, all her energy and attention was focused on her children’s diagnoses and round the clock care. Drained and struggling, Kelly wondered if she had what it took to be the kind of parent they needed. She craved support as a Catholic mother with special-needs children, but felt lost and alone when she tried to rely on secular support groups or well-meaning friends and family who had no experience in the special-needs community.
If you can relate to Kelly’s story, Better Than Finding Joy with Special- Needs Children is the hope-filled book you need today. In her down-to-earth way, Kelly shares the steps parents need to take to shift their focus away from the negatives of a diagnosis and towards acceptance, renewed faith, and joy.
This book is a must-read for special-needs parents, but I would recommend it to any parent who needs a dose of wisdom and encouragement. — Jen Fulwiler, bestselling author and standup comic
Sometimes special-needs parents need practical tips. Sometimes we need prayers. And sometimes we just need to know that we're not alone. … This engaging new book is a true gift to the parents of kids with special needs. — Bonnie L. Engstrom, mom of eight and author of 61 Minutes to a Miracle
This book is a gem for all special-needs parents, by turns funny, poignant, and always honest. It's the book I wish my parents could've had when I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the 90s. — Emily M. DeArdo, author of Living Memento My Journey Along the Way of the Cross
A truly important book for Catholic parents of special-needs children, and for family members, friends, and members of parish communities who want to better understand and more effectively support them. — Kendra Tierney, author of The Catholic All Year Compendium
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelly Mantoan is the founder of Accepting the Gift, an online apostolate that provides resources and support to Catholic special-needs parents. She also blogs at This Ain’t the Lyceum about homeschooling, special-needs parenting, and Catholic family life. She enjoys creating useful posts and resources for her followers and speaking to groups about how God’s plan for our lives is often much better than anything we can imagine.
Kelly Mantoan wasn’t always able to say these words. As a mother of five children, two with profound disabilities, all her energy and attention was focused on her children’s diagnoses and round the clock care. Drained and struggling, Kelly wondered if she had what it took to be the kind of parent they needed. She craved support as a Catholic mother with special-needs children, but felt lost and alone when she tried to rely on secular support groups or well-meaning friends and family who had no experience in the special-needs community.
If you can relate to Kelly’s story, Better Than Finding Joy with Special- Needs Children is the hope-filled book you need today. In her down-to-earth way, Kelly shares the steps parents need to take to shift their focus away from the negatives of a diagnosis and towards acceptance, renewed faith, and joy.
This book is a must-read for special-needs parents, but I would recommend it to any parent who needs a dose of wisdom and encouragement. — Jen Fulwiler, bestselling author and standup comic
Sometimes special-needs parents need practical tips. Sometimes we need prayers. And sometimes we just need to know that we're not alone. … This engaging new book is a true gift to the parents of kids with special needs. — Bonnie L. Engstrom, mom of eight and author of 61 Minutes to a Miracle
This book is a gem for all special-needs parents, by turns funny, poignant, and always honest. It's the book I wish my parents could've had when I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the 90s. — Emily M. DeArdo, author of Living Memento My Journey Along the Way of the Cross
A truly important book for Catholic parents of special-needs children, and for family members, friends, and members of parish communities who want to better understand and more effectively support them. — Kendra Tierney, author of The Catholic All Year Compendium
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelly Mantoan is the founder of Accepting the Gift, an online apostolate that provides resources and support to Catholic special-needs parents. She also blogs at This Ain’t the Lyceum about homeschooling, special-needs parenting, and Catholic family life. She enjoys creating useful posts and resources for her followers and speaking to groups about how God’s plan for our lives is often much better than anything we can imagine.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 20, 2021
A very helpful book, includes not just the author’s personal story but also calls to action/things you can do, a summary of “key takeaways” for each chapter and a prayer that relates to that chapter’s contents. A must read for any Catholic parent of children with disabilities, especially those with recent diagnoses, but also a really good read by those who do not have children with disabilities who want to better understand and support special needs parents in their communities. I do not have a child with disabilities and found the book to be very helpful, informative, and an interesting read. Kelly’s personal story as the mom of two sons with disabilities is woven skillfully into the framework of topical chapters.
November 3, 2021
I’ve been looking for a book like this for quite a while. Kelly shares her story of being a parent to two children in wheelchairs, one more than I have, so she’s in the trenches with me. I love the blend of practical help and concern for the spiritual needs of a caregiver. And the resource list is gold.
December 26, 2021
I don’t (currently!) have any special needs kids, but I have loved Mantoan’s blog for years and this was a wonderful look into the world of faith-filled but honest special needs parenting. An amazing resource for a parent who needs it and a lot of insight for the rest of us.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews