Welcome to the Teaching Special Spirits Blog!

On this blog, you will find topics we are researching to include in our non-fiction book, Teaching Special Spirits. On the right hand side, there is a list of categories. If you click on a category, it will take you to the posts dealing with that topic.

Our hope is that you will leave either tips of things that have helped you or questions you may have regarding that topic. Please leave these in the comments section.

If you have a story you would like to share that relates to one of the topics, please email it to us at teachingspecialspirits@gmail.com Be sure to include your name, home address, phone number, and email address so we can contact you if we decide to include it in our book.

Thank you for stopping by. Please come back often to check out new topics and posts!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

TSS Completed!

Hi everyone!

We're so happy to tell you that Teaching Special Spirits was completed last Friday (August 15th), right on schedule! It's currently out to some readers and the feedback has been great. Next week on Monday or Tuesday, it will be sent over to Lisa Mangum at Deseret Book. Yeah!

Thank you to each and everyone one of you who have shared your stories, tips, and ideas - and most especially, your enthusiasm for this project! We'll be sure to keep you updated.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at TeachingSpecialSpirits@gmail.com

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Serving at Church

We are looking for stories of individuals with special needs serving in church callings. We'd like to hear how they are serving, the blessings they've received, and how congregation members have been blessed as well. Story deadline: August 10th.

Friday, July 25, 2008

I Am a Child of God

I Am a Child of God: We are looking for stories from parents about the blessings of raising children with special needs. We would also love stories from older children or adults w/ special needs about knowing they are children of God. Uplifting stories, please! Deadline: August 10th

Teen Socializing

Teen Socializing: Tips or stories about how to help your teen w/ special needs to have a social relationship outside of home. Deadline: August 1st

Scripture Study

Scripture Study Stories:

Fun or inspirational stories about scripture study. Can be your a funny interpretation or question about a scripture, or a wonderful insightful moment. Deadline: August 5th.

Primary Sharing Time

We are looking for stories about teaching children in Primary about kids w/ special needs. These include ideas for sharing time or one-on-one activities. Deadline: August 1st.

Sibling Relationships

Sibling Relationships: We are looking for stories from a siblings point of view of what it's like to have a sibling with special needs. Also, stories or tips from parents about how to help your children develop good relationships. Deadline: August 10th

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Family Relationships

We are looking for stories and tips on the following subjects:

- blessings of having a sibling with a disability (maturity, loyalty, appreciate blessings, strong family bond, etc.)
- child had adult worries (what will happen to sibling as they grow up, etc.)
- positive things their parents did to help the siblings
- how parents explained disabilities
- good communications w/parents
- help with sibling relationships
- how they were able to follow their own path in life
- special times with parents

If you have anything else you'd like to share about family relationships, please feel free to send it along as well. Thanks, everyone!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Sibling Relationships

I'm working on a chapter about sibling relationships. Please send your stories about how your children with disabilities relate to their siblings, any problems you've encountered, and how you solved them.

Thanks!

Lynn Parsons

I Begin by Saying "Dear Heavenly Father"

Communicating with our Heavenly Father through prayer is such an important aspect of developing both our relationship with Him, as well as our testimonies of the Savior, that God lives, and of our divine heritage.

For this chapter, I am looking for tips on how you taught your children to pray, challenges you encountered, and humorous or uplifting stories about your children praying.

What Keeps Your Marriage Strong?

Divorce rates are super high for families raising kids with disabilities. It fluctuates between 70-80% - a very scary number! I am writing a chapter about how to keep your marriage strong. Please share with me what helps you and your spouse to stay close while dealing with the struggles of raising a child with special needs.