Intuition: A Powerful Tool for High-Needs Parenting
Why do parents always ignore what their gut is telling them? Okay, maybe that was dramatic… Always is a BIG word. But, how often have you felt something to be true, or really weren’t sure something was right, and didn’t trust yourself? I’d be willing to bet it happens more than you’d like to admit.
Now imagine this situation happens with your child, in a healthcare setting. Maybe you can relate because you’ve actually experienced it. You go to the doctor, urgent care, the emergency room – wherever, only to leave feeling like you didn’t get the answer you needed. And sometimes this happens more than once. You know something isn’t right, you just know. But you aren’t getting answers and you feel helpless.
You have to trust yourself
If you can relate to this feeling, you aren’t alone. Many times parents take their children to providers for something they don’t have the answer to and leave no further ahead. Now, there are a lot of reasons this is happening and most aren’t really acceptable, but we’ll touch on that another time.
What is important, is that we learn to trust ourselves – whatever we want to call this. This can be confusing for a lot of people. And it's all personal.
Many of us know this feeling as “intuition.”
Now, before you start thinking this is too “woo” for you, hear me out.
Some people know, understand, and can lean into their intuition. But in a world ruled by logic and reasoning, numbers and fact, intuition has taken a backseat for many.
So when you feel that feeling deep inside – whether in your stomach, near your heart, or somewhere else – it’s your intuition sending up a flare. Something needs your attention!
So, what is intuition?
Intuition is an unconscious feeling that tries to guide us to an answer or direction. Some refer to it as a gut feeling, an inner voice, a hunch, a knowing, or a sixth sense.
Your body is trying to tell you something. It shows up differently for each of us and some of us have to really take more time to listen and feel into it. And that’s okay. What’s important here is that you take notice and follow where it’s trying to lead you.
Don’t mess with “mother’s intuition”
When it comes to our children, our intuition can be strong. After all, no one knows them like we do. That’s really the key here.
No one knows them like we do.
So, when we take them to a provider or ask someone to help with something we don’t have answers for, and they don’t give us answers that make us feel good, we are unsettled.
Rightfully so. We should be uneasy with any answer that we don’t feel confident in or at ease with. We should question these answers.
Unfortunately, many times we don’t. We worry about whether we should. We aren’t sure if it's appropriate. We don’t know that we should. Later, we might realize that the answer we were given just isn’t sitting well.
This can be even harder when you’re the parent of a high-needs child. A lot of factors come into play, especially for atypical children or children who aren’t typically atypical.
Children who require more care, energy, time, and attention often need more from parents and providers. So, when a provider doesn’t listen to what you’re telling them, it can be distressing.
Listen to your intuition
Anytime your body tells you something isn’t right, lean into that feeling. Listen closely. This is your body saying you need more. It can take time. The results aren’t always instant. And that’s okay.
Then go get more. Go get the answers you need and the care your child deserves.
Do NOT accept answers or options that make you feel uneasy because someone told you you “should.” Ask questions and get answers. Don’t take no for an answer.
Trust your intuition. We were all given this gift for a reason. It will come in handy in many aspects of your life. Taking care of your children is one.
Don’t ignore your intuition. When you seek care for your child (or yourself or your loved ones) trust your gut. It is designed to show your wisdom and lead you in the right direction. It can be hard to grasp at first, but ultimately, it's what’s best for your child. Knowing how to handle situations like this help put you in control.
If you aren’t sure how to trust or find this feeling or don’t know when to question your child’s health, join me. My free group, group membership, and one on one program are waiting for you.
I am here to help parents get the answers they need for their children’s health questions. My purpose is to make sure parents don’t feel alone and unheard. My mission is to support parents of high-needs children as they navigate this challenging journey. Book a call to find out more.
