The experiences of parents raising a non-disabled child and a child with a disability

Abstract

Parenting involves various roles, tasks and challenges, which all affected by life circumstances. The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of parents raising a child with a disability and a non-disabled child. To conduct this research, six semi-structured interviews were carried out with parents raising at least one disabled child and a nondisabled child. No age limit was used. These interviews aimed at collecting information regarding parents’ experiences of raising both children, differences and similarities of both experiences and how do parents deal with such experiences. The data collected was then analysed using thematic analysis. The findings that emerged from this study are presented in six main themes: (i) Providing care to both children Mothers focused mainly on physical care when mentioning the child with a disability while, both physical and emotional care were referred to when mentioning the non-disabled child. Regarding the child with a disability, mothers explained how providing practical care for the child with a disability takes most of the day.

(ii) Challenges of Parenting Achieving balance in giving attention to both children, time management, keeping the couple intimate relationship alive, people’s reactions to disability, and the social environment were the main issues that mothers discussed regarding their challenges of raising both children.

(iii) Worrying about both children Mothers discussed their past, present and future worries regarding both children. Health, education, accommodation, bullying and social stigma were amongst the main worries regarding the children with disabilities. Whilst; bullying, technology, having a good company of friends and having a suitable partner. The disabled child was also a point of reference when discussing worries of the non-disabled child; for instance, that the nondisabled child’s behaviour will be negatively affected by his or her sibling with a disability.

(iv) Social Stigma Mothers explained how they experiences stigma regarding their child with a disability on a daily basis, especially from the public’s mentality and negative reactions to raising a disabled child.

(v) Positive experiences Contrary to negative experiences, mothers did not disclose in depth about their positive experiences of raising both children. The positive experiences were explained as a compensation for having the negative experiences of parenting. The disabled child was also a point of reference when describing the positive experiences of raising a non-disabled child.

(vi) Dealing with experiences of parenting Self-coping is a way of dealing with challenges of raising children. However, mothers explained how, in very difficult time and crises, support from family members and professionals is essential. Some mothers are satisfied with the support received from their relatives, while, others do not feel understood by their relatives. All mothers agree that there is a room for improvement regarding support from professionals for parents raising children with disabilities.