Hi friends,
Today I want to share something that’s been a true lifeline for me as a parent—affirmations.
When life gets hard (and let’s be honest, in special needs families, it often does), these small, powerful phrases can make an enormous difference.
Affirmations aren’t just feel-good sayings; they are tools for strength, focus, and emotional survival.
Why Affirmations Matter — Especially in Special Needs Families
For special needs families, daily life can feel slower, heavier, and packed with unexpected detours.
Things often don’t go the way we plan, even with our best efforts and love.
Our children might face emotional meltdowns, physical struggles, medical emergencies, or simply days when the energy to move forward seems completely drained.
We, as parents, must stay even more anchored, more positive, and more focused than most people can imagine.
Affirmations give us that daily “re-centering.”
They help us stay connected to our deeper goals, even when life feels like it’s moving through quicksand.
They remind us: our dreams still matter, our progress counts, and our children are stronger than today’s challenges.
We need these anchors not just for our kids—but for ourselves.
They are gentle, daily reminders that we are still on our journey, even if some days we are crawling instead of flying.
My Personal Anchor: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Quote
One quote that became my guiding star over the years is from Martin Luther King Jr.:
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
This powerful message helped me through countless tough seasons.
Because of my children’s health issues and our family’s daily battles, there were so many times when I had to set aside my dreams, my projects, even simple everyday goals.
At times, life felt like it had completely stopped — a simple chore became a mountain.
Energy and time slipped through my fingers like water.
And in those moments, when everything felt too heavy and complicated, it became so easy to start giving up on my own dreams.
So easy to believe they didn’t matter anymore.
But this quote anchored me.
It reminded me that even the smallest progress still matters.
That even if I could only crawl through a difficult day, I was still moving forward.
It allowed me to keep my dreams alive through the hardest seasons, to slip through the chaos without dying inside or completely giving up.
Even on the days when everything screamed “it’s impossible,” this belief gave me the strength to survive with my hope intact.
Sometimes dragging yourself inch by inch is still winning the battle.
And sometimes surviving with your dream alive inside you is the greatest victory of all.
How Affirmations Work
Affirmations gently reprogram your mind.
They build new “thought habits” and help shift you from fear, doubt, and exhaustion into hope, focus, and quiet inner strength.
When you repeat a positive statement—especially one that you connect emotionally to—your mind starts believing it.
Little by little, it shapes your perspective and your actions.
It’s not magic.
It’s mental muscle-building.
In special needs families, where so much can feel out of control, affirmations help put you back in the driver’s seat emotionally.
My Son’s Affirmation
My son Stony wears a stainless steel bracelet with his personal affirmation:
“Never give up.”
Simple.
Powerful.
This little phrase has pulled him out of the deepest meltdowns, the scariest moments of exhaustion and defeat.
It reminds him that inside, he is bigger than any challenge.
Creative Ways to Use Affirmations
Here are some beautiful ways to weave affirmations into daily life:
- Bathroom Mirror Notes: Stick affirmations where you see them first thing every morning.
- Affirmation Jars: Pick one random affirmation each morning to start the day.
- Engraved Jewelry: Bracelets, necklaces, or keychains with powerful words.
- Lunchbox or Backpack Surprises: A little note tucked inside to brighten your child’s day.
- Pebble Painting: Paint small rocks with affirmations and keep them in pockets, bags, or gift them.
- Cookie Frosting Messages: Bake cookies and ice them with empowering words!
- Car Dashboard Post-Its: Remind yourself daily during carpool chaos!
- Affirmation Notebooks: Create a family book of affirmations and goals.
- Teacher Gifts: A small handmade thank-you with a positive message.
- Audible Affirmations: Record yourself and your child saying affirmations and play them during winding down time.
Affirmations for Parents and Children
Here are some ready-to-use affirmations:
For Parents:
- “I am doing my best, and my best is enough.”
- “Progress, not perfection.”
- “I give love even when the journey is hard.”
- “Today I choose hope.”
- “Small steps are still steps.”
For Children:
- “I am brave.”
- “My body is strong and healing.”
- “I can ask for help when I need it.”
- “I am important and loved.”
- “Mistakes help me grow.”
Bonus Printable: 10 Affirmations In One Page, You Can Print and Put It To Your Family’s Lunchbox!
Parents’ Set:
- “You are stronger than this moment.”
- “Your love is making a difference.”
- “One breath at a time, one step at a time.”
- “You are allowed to rest, not quit.”
- “Tiny wins matter.”
Kids’ Set:
6. “You are a warrior.”
7. “You shine even on tough days.”
8. “You are capable of amazing things.”
9. “Kindness is your superpower.”
10. “Never give up.”
Just save and print:
Quotes of Religious origins:
1.“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
2.“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”(Psalm 23:1)
3.“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)
4.“With God, all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26)
5.“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”(Nehemiah 8:10)
6.“God is within her, she will not fall.”(Psalm 46:5)
7.“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”(1 Peter 5:7)
8.“When I am weak, then I am strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:10)
9.“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”(Exodus 14:14)
10.“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord — plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”(Jeremiah 29:11)
Final Thought
Affirmations aren’t just pretty words.
They are small seeds of strength planted daily into your mind and heart.
Over time, they grow into courage, hope, resilience, and belief.
In special needs families like ours, where every day holds extra challenges, these seeds are lifelines.
You and your beautiful child are writing a story of strength every day—sometimes one step, one breath, one small affirmation at a time.
With all my heart,
Suzanne
