Families of children with special needs know some of the healing benefits of laughter demonstrated in recent research studies and reported in the media. Humor therapy has been shown to benefit patients with serious illness and many hospitals offer "Strength through Laughter" programs. Organizations like the Starlight Children's Foundation provide 'positive distractive therapy' in children's hospitals and children's wards throughout the country.

Where do we as parents find the humor that can give us the strength we need? We don't need to look much farther than our families. Even in the worst of times, our children can inject a bit of comic relief into the most serious situation. But where is the audience for our stories? I believe we must look to one another to find the outlet we need. Many times, parents whose children share a similar diagnosis will see the humor in situations that might shock our mainstream peers. This holiday season, let's share the funniest of our stories just to show one another we are all out here.

Although we as parents can get caught up in stress-related reactions due to conflicts in schedules, extended family obligations, finances, shopping, traffic and weather, our sons and daughters can shock and delight us with both their total dedication and complete disregard for our holiday expectations.

Sometimes parents of children with special needs who have been sidetracked or sidelined by emergencies that add nearly unbearable frustration or anxiety as we attempt to establish or practice holiday traditions. Reading support group messages or emailing other parents who experience similar disability-related set-backs often leads to a bit of humor or even silliness as we recognize kindred spirits or truly funny people whose perspective can shift our own. On rare occasions, we may talk in person or over the phone with kindred souls who raise our spirits in unpredictable ways.

During this time when we may be eager for perfect moments of happiness or peace, the capacity for things going terribly wrong is greater than at any other time. Why wait ten years to look back and laugh at our worst moments when we can share them with one another and transform the experience right now? We may wait a long time to one day to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" but until then, finding what is funny and sharing it can fill us up.

Remembering to laugh is not only good for our own health, it sets a great example for our children when they are anxious or in crisis. Anyone can get caught up in dreams of elegant meals and fabulous parties at this time of year ~ how much funnier is it when we feel the same about life on a much less grand scale? Nothing rescues the festivity of a holiday like taking a break from our great expectations and enjoying the moment.

During the holiday season in autumn and winter, a bit of simplicity and flexibility can help rescue our sense of balance and happiness. To enjoy happier holidays, we need to maintain as much of our regular schedule and add humor and forgiveness wherever possible. We can allow ourselves to use inexpensive gift bags instead of wrapping boxes, take a five minute break in a cool, quiet room; or engage in self control (or indulgence) when confronted with a dessert table. When we do decide to indulge in mini-sundaes with our best friend or favorite neighbor, we should enjoy it to the max!

Although everything used to seem funnier on insufficient sleep, indulging in a nap or 'sleeping in' whenever possible can go a far way in restoring good humor now. Our children are funnier when we can keep our eyelids up long enough to see what they are doing. Taking back even a few moments several times a day to tune into our children is the best way to work up new comedy material. Building the very special memories that cause us to have such high hopes for continuing our childhood traditions for our own sons and daughters is more likely when we have some respite from holiday fatigue. Sometimes the best respite happens when we find ourselves 'in the moment' with a child, taking a vacation from anything to do with a diagnosis, support or advocacy. Being with our children in those moments gives us some of our best mom-to-mom stand-up comedy material.

Browse at your local library, bookstore, or online retailer for books like Permission Slips - Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break.

Terri Mauro's Special-Needs Christmas Carols
Holiday Songs for Your Stressful Season
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/needalaugh/ig/Special-Needs-Christmas-Carols/
We Won't Go (Sung to the tune of Let it Snow); I'm Dreaming of a Quiet Christmas; Too-Silent Night; Echolalia Bells; We'll Be Ill for Christmas; Have a Hypoallergenic Christmas; Trouble on the Rooftop; You Better Watch Out; All I Want for Christmas is a Good Night's Sleep; There Goes Routine; Carol of the Mall; Hark, the Relatives Complain

Terri Mauro - Humor for Parents of Children with Special Needs links
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/needalaugh/Need_a_Laugh.htm

Holiday Songs from ChildrenWithDiabetes.com Families
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/art/holidaysongs.htm
The Twelve CWD Days of Christmas; Silent Night; Meter (Dreidel); Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer; Oh A1c; Count the Carbs

Starlight Children's Foundation
http://www.starlight-washington.org/