At least a few times a week, my son Lucas eagerly proclaims, “I need to call Emma’s mom!” Who is Emma, you might wonder? Let me share that story.
After Lucas experienced his first significant seizure, I was still a bit dazed from the entire ordeal. We had just returned from a follow-up appointment with his pediatrician, who recommended that we see a pediatric neurologist. As we stopped in the grocery store to grab some milk, I heard a cheerful voice behind us say, “There’s Lucas!” I turned around to find a girl named Emma and her mom, Sarah, approaching us. I had never met them before.
The joy on Emma’s face was unmistakable; she was genuinely thrilled to see Lucas. It turned out they had been classmates in fifth grade when he was included in her mainstream class. We chatted for a while, and what Sarah said next took me by surprise: “I would love to get our kids together and be part of Lucas’s life as much as you’ll allow!” Wow! I had longed for another mom to express such interest. In the past, Lucas had a few playdates with another family, but unfortunately, the focus was often on his sister, Mia, leaving him feeling overlooked.
About a month ago, Lucas was invited to Emma’s house for his very first solo playdate. I was incredibly nervous for him. Would he be anxious? Would he want me to stay? As we arrived, he confidently took a seat at their kitchen table, making himself at home. I said, “Goodbye, Lucas, I’m leaving!” To my surprise, he simply said, “Bye!” and stayed put.
As I drove home, tears of mixed emotions welled up in my eyes. Thankfully, Sarah understood my worries as a mom, and before I could even ask how Lucas was doing, she sent me videos and pictures of their time together.
Lucas had a blast playing trains with Emma’s younger brother, and when I planned to pick him up at 4 p.m., he happily asked to stay longer. I checked with Sarah, who graciously agreed, and Lucas had the time of his life.
If you’re a parent who feels uncertain about setting up a playdate with the parent of a special needs child, I encourage you to reach out. You already have something in common—after all, we’re all parents navigating the ups and downs of raising kids. Thank you, Sarah, for making Lucas’s first playdate such a wonderful experience. Your kindness and support mean the world to our family.
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Summary
Playdates can be a rewarding experience for kids with special needs. Lucas’s first solo playdate with Emma was filled with joy, thanks to the kindness of her mother, Sarah. Parents are encouraged to foster connections and understand that they’re not alone in their journey.