Affirmations for Special Needs Parents

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Affirmations for special needs parents can be beneficial immediately and over time. Using affirmations increases positive messages throughout the day. We could all benefit from more positivity!

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What Are Affirmations?

Affirmations are sentences spoken or written in the positive. They are usually short phrases that can be repeated frequently throughout the day. For example, “I make healthy choices.”

A goal of affirmations is to turn negative self-talk into positive self-talk. They can also foster calm during or after a crisis.

Why Should You Use Affirmations as a Special Needs Parent?

Affirmations are designed to turn focus away from negative thoughts, feelings, and actions.

As we use affirmations, we begin to focus on the desired and positive outcome in situations. Your feelings of calm, encouragement, and overall positivity can increase as you repeat the affirmations. Special needs parents can benefit from these increased positive feelings.

With increased positive thoughts and feelings, actions can follow to further these feelings. They can be a form of motivation and create a cycle toward the affirmations intent.

For example, as I repeat “I make healthy choices,” the goal is to then make healthy choices. Then, when I make the healthy choice this action firms up in my mind the idea that “I make healthy choices.” Over time, the repeated affirmation and resulting thoughts, feelings and actions turn the initial affirmation into reality.

Another Benefit of Affirmations for Special Needs Parents

Affirmations can help ground you during or after a crisis. For example, “I am safe,” “I am in control of my own actions,” “I am doing my best,” or “I am ok.”

Affirmations are a tool to increase mindfulness. You may like to read more about this topic in our article Getting Started with Mindfulness for Special Needs Parents.

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How Can Affirmations for Special Needs Parents be Used?

Start by thinking of an area in your life that you would like to improve. Then think of what that improvement might look like.

For example, do you stress eat after your child has a tantrum? In this example, you could use the affirmation “I make healthy choices” as we have been discussing. Having an action plan in place also helps. Or be more specific to get started. For example, “When upset, I choose water and healthy fruits.” Another option could be “I am safe” or “I am ok.”

Once you identify the area that is bothering you, think of a positive outcome. What would you like instead? Turn the positive into your affirmation! Special needs parents have many worries and challenges. Start small with the target and go big with your affirmation. Use it often and praise yourself when you see yourself putting it into action!

Implementing Affirmations

Speak the affirmation aloud or repeat it in your head.

You can also write it down where you will see it often. I like putting a new affirmation on the mirror, on my bedside table, the fridge, and the car visor. Putting the affirmation as a phone or computer screensaver also increases opportunities to see the affirmation. Special needs parents have a lot of time consuming activities in their schedule – affirmations do not need to be long activities.

Try saying the affirmation about ten times a few times throughout the day.

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Affirmations in Perspective

Affirmations Are Not Instant Miracles

Affirmations are a tool. You may find them to be very helpful or you may not. However, they are worth a try.

If the first one you choose does not resonate with you, try another one. It takes experimentation and time to see if self-care tools are right for you.

If an affirmation helps reduce self-criticism and negative self-talk, I count that as a win!

Affirmations can also help you focus on the positive and the actions needed to find solutions.

If affirmations lead to action and get you to or closer to the desired feeling or outcome then that is a huge win.

Things to Keep In Mind When Creating Your Affirmations

Keep it in the present. “I am ….” not “I will” or “I should”
Make it personal to you and your needs.
Experiment with “I” or “You” and see what feels best for you.
Make it realistic. If you feel like you are lying each time you say the affirmation, adjust it. I am advocating positivity, not faux-positivity.

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Suggested Affirmations for Special Needs Parents

So what are some example affirmations special needs parents can get started with? The following list is designed to give you some ideas! Read through the list. Then pick one that feels good to you. Try using it for the next week and then share with us how it helped you in the comments section below.

I am safe.
I am calm.
I am well.
I am ok.
I got this.
I am doing great things.
This is hard, but that is ok.
I am brave.
I am doing my best.
I ask for help.
My needs are important
I am worthy.
I take needed breaks.
Things are working out for me.
I take time to rest.
I take time for me.
My time is important.
I value my self-care.
I am strong.
I can handle difficult situations.
I can.
I am in control of my thoughts and actions.

Looking for more affirmation ideas? These affirmation cards are both inspirational and beautiful. I like to shuffle through them in the morning or during difficult times. I also put a few up around the home as reminders.