Are You a Bulldozer? Yeah, Maybe Me Too!

Bulldozer parenting refers to the tendency to remove any obstacles from the child’s path for them to succeed. 

Does that apply to those of us with kids with disabilities or chronic health conditions? I don’t know. What I do know is that our kids have so many obstacles put in front of them, including their health, learning styles and abilities. 

I do have to be aware of how I approach new people in my child’s life. I always want to tell them ahead of time about his challenges. Honestly, that’s not fair to him. 

While in school settings, it’s absolutely, vitally necessary that I help clear the path. However, is it necessary at Cub Scouts since I will be there with him? I think the life situations define whether I’m “bulldozing” or merely responsibly parenting a child with disabilities. 

I think letting children discover life and their abilities is as important as letting others discover my child’s abilities. People don’t always need my input before they have a chance to get to know him. 

I also must be cautious not to limit his experiences to what he has liked in the past. An example is the food my child eats: “Oh, you don’t like that, honey – here’s something you like better!” I didn’t even realize I was doing this until the day my child asked me, “Mom, do I like this?” 

I think it’s natural for us to feel protective and want to keep life from hurting our children. If you’re anything like me, I want my son to be given the same chances everyone else gets to succeed. 

Sometimes, it may seem like I’m bulldozing. Clear the path! Here I come! But in some cases, it’s necessary and he deserves the help! 

Here are some tips for raising a child with a disability.