Navigating My Parent Heartbreak

I once received a question from the parent of a child with dyslexia that made my heart quicken:

"How do I navigate my own heartbreak?"

What a powerful question!

If you're raising a child with dyslexia, you know that heartbreak is often part of the journey. As parents, we watch our children work harder than their peers, face misunderstandings, and sometimes endure hurtful comments or unfair judgments. In those moments, it can feel as though you're the only one who hears the careless remarks, notices the smirks, or feels the sting of every arrow aimed at your child.

I remember every single one of those moments.

Even though my daughter is now a thriving adult with dyslexia, my heart is still tender when I think back to those years. Watching your child struggle while feeling powerless to shield them is one of the hardest parts of parenting.

But I also want you to know this:

It does get better.

The turning point comes when you and your child begin to shift your focus from struggles to strengths.

Every child with dyslexia has strengths. Once you discover what those strengths are, you can help your child build on them and use them with confidence. Together, you can learn to advocate by helping teachers understand not only your child's challenges but also the incredible ways they learn and can contribute.

Years before we even knew my daughter had dyslexia, she discovered something about herself: she had an exceptional memory. She learned to use memorization to succeed on tests and in many other areas of school. Today she tells me that once she recognized this strength, she leaned into it everywhere she could. Imagine how much sooner she could have built that confidence if we had understood dyslexia and recognized her strengths earlier.

That's why learning about your child's strengths is so important. Strengths become tools. They become confidence. They become hope.

So how do you navigate your own heartbreak?

You choose, over and over again, to focus on what your child can do instead of what they struggle to do.

Is that easy? Not at all. In fact, it may be one of the hardest things you'll ever do as a parent.

Of course you acknowledge their struggles. You support them through the difficult days. But at the same time, you intentionally look for opportunities to develop their gifts. It's what we do with every challenge our children face; we keep looking forward, helping them discover what is possible rather than dwelling only on what is difficult.

Another important part of this journey is education. As your child grows in confidence and gains a better understanding of their dyslexia, they can begin to advocate for themselves. They can help teachers, classmates, employers, and others understand what dyslexia is, how it affects the way they learn, and how it also contributes to the unique strengths they bring. Every time they share their story, they build confidence in themselves while increasing understanding in the people around them.

One of the strengths often found in dyslexic thinkers is empathy. Because they've experienced the sting of being misunderstood, judged, or underestimated, they often develop a deep compassion for others who are struggling. While I would never wish those painful experiences on any child, it's remarkable to see how many dyslexic individuals grow into adults who notice others, encourage others, and lead with kindness.

Your child has an incredible future ahead of them.

Right now is the perfect time to help them discover who they are, understand how their brain works, and learn to use their strengths with confidence. Keep your eyes on what they can do—and on all they will be able to do in the years ahead.

And don't walk this journey alone. Surround yourself with parents who understand. Continue learning about both the challenges and the strengths of dyslexia. Most of all, be your child's greatest champion.

Your belief in them may become the voice they carry with them for the rest of their lives.