Being a parent of a child with special needs often exists alongside other responsibilities. Perhaps you are a spouse, a parent to other children, a teacher, an employee, or a volunteer. These callings can be overwhelming, especially if you are also caring for a child with extraordinary physical, developmental, and/or emotional needs. While we desire to serve God and others in many ways, we need to be able to take are of ourselves in order to be a blessing to others.

“Self care isn’t a fad for caregivers—it’s a necessity.” In her podcast, Sandra Peoples, a special needs mother and pastor’s wife, offers a Christian perspective on practical ways for caregivers of kids with extraordinary needs to enhance their own self-care to better serve their families and communities. Sandra and her guests and co-hosts visit many “regular” topics including cleaning, exercising, meal-planning, and getting involved at church. In each episode, Sandra offers ideas that can be put into practice right away.

Perhaps you need help learning to prioritize responsibilities or even saying “no” to a new activity. Are you looking for ways to get more sleep? Maybe you and your loved one have had a “bad day.” How do you reset from that? These are just a few everyday issues that Sandra dives into from a spiritual perspective. In all conversations, Sandra informs her ideas and recommendations from God’s Word, encouraging listeners to fulfill their callings in serving God and others while still maintaining healthy boundaries and self-care habits.

Each episode of “Self Care and Soul Care for the Caregiver” concludes with a prayer, seeking God’s guidance and support in caring for loved ones in ways that give him glory for the countless blessings that can be found, even on this challenging journey.

- Becky Grefe