Hey girl, I see you. I see the moments when you scroll through social media, feeling like everyone else has it together while you’re just trying to keep your head above water. I see how you compare your journey to others, those whose kids are thriving in ways that feel out of reach, those whose lives seem so much more “normal.” Trust me, I get it. As a parent of a child with special needs, I’ve been right there with you, battling those comparisons and feeling the weight of them.
But let me tell you something important: Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Your path, your journey, is yours and no one else’s. And it’s enough.
The Pressure You Feel

As parents, we are constantly bombarded with the idea that we should have it all figured out. We should be able to juggle everything, school, work, extracurricular activities, friendships, and more. But when you have a child with special needs, those expectations feel even more intense. Every milestone, every challenge, feels magnified. You watch as others breeze through parenting, posting perfect photos of their kids at school plays, sports events, or playdates. And while you’re celebrating the small victories, your child saying their first word, or learning how to tie their shoes, it feels like the world is overlooking everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
The weight of that comparison can be unbearable. The self-doubt creeps in, and you start questioning if you’re doing enough for your child. But girl, let me remind you of something, you’re doing more than enough. The love and effort you pour into your child, the countless hours spent advocating for them, and the patience you show when it feels like the world is moving too fast for them is something that many could never understand. And that is worth celebrating, even if it doesn’t look like what everyone else’s parenting journey looks like.
The Danger of Comparison

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your child to others, especially when you feel like you’re constantly trying to catch up. You see kids achieving milestones faster, speaking more clearly, or interacting effortlessly with others. And with each comparison, a little piece of your confidence fades. You think, “Am I doing something wrong? Why isn’t my child like that?”
But here’s the thing, Your child is not behind. They’re just on a different path. And that’s okay. Your child’s journey is unique and will be filled with different milestones, challenges, and triumphs. Just because it looks different from what you expected doesn’t mean it’s any less meaningful or valuable.
In fact, your child’s growth, those moments when they achieve something after a long struggle when they push through barriers that seem impossible, is something truly extraordinary. These moments may not fit into the mold of what “success” is supposed to look like, but they are successes nonetheless. And you, as their parent, are the one who is helping them get there, one step at a time.
Embrace Your Journey

I know it’s hard to silence the voices of comparison. We live in a world that’s constantly telling us how we should be, and how our kids should be. But I want to encourage you to embrace your own journey. Stop measuring your success by someone else’s standards. Stop comparing your child’s progress to others. Your child is exactly where they need to be, and so are you.
You are not failing because your child’s path looks different. You are not falling behind because you don’t have the same experiences that others do. You are exactly where you’re meant to be. You are doing the best you can, and that is something to be incredibly proud of. The challenges you face as a special needs parent are not the same as those faced by others, but that doesn’t make your journey any less important.
Your Worth Is Not Defined by Comparison

You are enough. You are more than enough. The love you have for your child, the sacrifices you make, the patience you show, it’s all more than anyone could ever ask for. So, when you find yourself comparing your journey to someone else’s, remind yourself of this truth, Your worth is not defined by comparison.
Every parent has their own struggles and their own challenges. It may look different from the outside, but we are all doing our best. And the fact that you are raising a child with special needs, with all the extra challenges that come with it, makes you stronger and more resilient than you realize. You are a warrior, doing the best you can, and that is something to be celebrated.
So, girl, stop comparing yourself to everyone else. You are doing an amazing job. Your child is lucky to have you. And the journey you’re on is beautiful, no matter how different it may seem. Keep going because you’ve got this.