Here's the latest article from the Children with Special Needs site at BellaOnline.com.

When my son was born with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172742.asp
I became sensitive to certain words and phrases when my son was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome. I am grateful that his pediatrician developed his own awareness without my intervention. A good doctor can learn from every new patient. Some average doctors may overwhelm by their own ignorance.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172742.asp

With Christmas Eve just a week away, families may be experiencing stress and worry of many kinds. This year, Hanukkah overlaps the Christmas holiday. Many children who celebrate Chanukah may find Christmas celebrations in their communities overwhelm the traditions of the Jewish holiday. The same may be true for children who celebrate the secular holiday of Santa without the religious traditions of Christmas or Hanukkah.

Extended family from interfaith marriages may struggle with how to share important traditions with their grandchildren. This is as common in families of children who have developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions, or other special needs as it is among their mainstream peers.

Of course, there does not have to be a difference of religion, ethnicity, or culture among grandparents and extended family to create stress during the holidays, especially for families of children with a disability of developmental delay. However, resources for families struggling with choices of faith and religious tradition may be helpful in understanding the difficulties as well as the wonderful opportunities we all have to grow and learn. Some of these books may also be wonderful additions to parent group libraries and your child's classroom.

Here are some books recommended for families of children in interfaith marriages:

Mingled Roots: A Guide for Jewish Grandparents of Interfaith Children
http://tinyurl.com/d78xxln

Children's Books -

My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story
http://tinyurl.com/74vmnqn
Respectful storybook about shared traditions of an interfaith family

Elijah's Angel: Story for Chanukah and Christmas
http://tinyurl.com/7gadb78
An elderly black woodcarver gives an angel to a young friend on Chanukah

The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate
http://tinyurl.com/d78xxln

BellaOnline's Early Childhood Editor, Nicki Heskin, has written an article that may be helpful in understanding how to explain Christmas to Jewish children and help them to cope with what may seem like an overwhelming public celebration.

Helping Jewish Children Relate to Christmas
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art174410.asp

Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Children with Special Needs.

Winter Challenges for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46706.asp

Managing Emergencies at School
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art70183.asp

Winter Storm Preparations for Families
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54303.asp

Severe Weather Events and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48466.asp

Faith, Religion and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52349.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

Surgery and Children with Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57977.asp

Finding a Welcoming Congregation
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171643.asp

Asking More from Medical Professionals - Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39121.asp

Forgiving Family - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48067.asp

Inappropriate Comments in Inclusive Congregations
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172188.asp

Vacation Travel, Weekend Getaways and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43397.asp

Holiday Shopping For Children With Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54092.asp

Follow the Children with Special Needs editor on Twitter for disability
information, resources and support, at
http://www.twitter.com/downsynadvocacy

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To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Children with Special Needs located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Pamela Wilson, Children with Special Needs Editor
http://specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com

Cousins of Children with Special Needs - BellaOnline
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44239.asp

Medical ID Bracelets for Children and Teens with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66973.asp

Brothers and Sisters of Children with Disabilities .
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56919.asp

Diabetes Information for Classmates and their Families
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp

Airline Travel for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45142.asp

Parent Humor and Childhood Disability - Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59819.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

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Thank you for encouraging and supporting children with special needs, their siblings and families in your own community.