How to Handle More Than You Can Handle

Caring for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child

By: Amanda Griffith-Atkins

Narrated by: Amanda Griffith-Atkins

A guide to navigating the emotional experience of caring for and raising disabled children with high-support needs, from a therapist and parent of a disabled child.

Amanda Griffith-Atkins, a therapist who is also one of the millions of people raising a disabled child with high-support needs, knows firsthand about the dark places parents go—the grief, the anger, the frustration—and the shame these feelings can bring up. In her practice, and now her book, she gives parents an invaluable set of tools to find the strength, acceptance, and self-compassion to face these hard emotions to become a more forgiving and healthier version of themselves---and better caretakers for their children. She takes readers through the different emotions of this unique parenting journey: the shock of diagnosis, the fight for resources, the anxiety of navigating your child’s growing independence, the uncertainty of how best to prepare for their future without you. Then she turns her lens to the parent’s world and how to navigate the fraught territory of marriage, identity, expectations, guilt, managing non-disabled siblings, and more. She shows us that bringing your darkest feelings into the light and showing up as your full self is the best way to get out of survival mode. Because you—and your child—deserve it.

So real and validating!

Beautifully written! So needed. I felt so many emotions. I'll definitely be recommending this one for other parents of disabled kids.

I feel seen.

A very helpful book with chapters dedicated to the various ages/stages.
I appreciate the encouragement about remembering and relocating our own sense of self.

Pain & love CAN coexist ❤️

I discovered Amanda just a few short years ago. When I did I recall while crying thinking, “where was this in the beginning?”. Now here we are and Amanda has outdone herself. She highlights the scary thoughts all while gently reminding you that you aren’t alone. Encouraging WOW! The personal stories she shares are a breath of fresh air. Some heartbreaking, but again a reminder that parents of children with disabilities need each other, your thoughts are typical, and so much more. Thank you, Amanda!

I feel seen!

As a parent to a person with disabilities, this hits the spot! I found myself nodding in agreement with what the author was saying and cried as I saw myself in the situations the author was describing. I feel seen! Great content and the narration is also great.

An Absolute Must Listen

I have never written a review before… but this book is WAY TOO IMPORTANT to pass over! It validates the complexities of handling the very challenging aspects of being a special needs parent! It does this with kindness, understanding and compassion- and encourages allowing compassion for self! The resources mentioned were also very helpful. When I need a ‘reset’, I will be listening to this book again.