The Glass Child
Understanding Family Dynamics When One or More Child Has a Disability
We think the best way to help and support well siblings is to understand the family as a single emotional unit - one system -rather than just a collection of individuals. Like all systems, when one family member struggles, it affects everyone. Studying family systems helps to identify these "ripple effects” and break negative patterns.
The links below will give you an overview of Family Systems Theory in general and will include information (the little there is!) on family systems when one or more siblings have a disability.
https://www.thebowencenter.org/introduction-eight-concepts
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/family-systems-therapy
https://helpfulprofessor.com/family-systems-theory/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/family-systems-therapy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211609522000082
Support and Community Connections for Siblings
We see you and you matter. We’ll keep repeating that message because we know it’s something you may not have felt growing up. We also know that finding others who have similar childhoods can be incredibly healing. Below are resources that provide information and community connections where you can begin finding support and understanding.
https://siblingleadership.org/about-the-sibling-leadership-network/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1742-9552.2011.00035.x
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02650533.2013.844114
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25569019/
Message to Parents
When we first started this project, our only intended audience was Glass Children. But as we began to hear so many stories of struggle, we realized that nothing will change if parents are left out of the discussion. That’s where Rachel comes in. As a parent of a Glass Children, one who has made many, many, MANY mistakes, her role is to listen carefully to our guests and help parents come up with a plan to support everyone in the family - including you.
We know you’re exhausted. We know you don’t need one more thing on your to-do list, and we're damn sure you don’t need anything more to feel guilty about. This is not a podcast about blame. Truly. It’s about learning from our past patterns so we can move forward with more compassion and love and support for each member of the family. Below are a few sources that may help you begin this journey.
https://childmind.org/article/fighting-caregiver-burnout-special-needs-kids/#full_article
