#63: Supporting Families of Kids with Special Needs with Nick + Jackie Tait

Published: June 27, 2018, 5:30 a.m.

b"Parenting children with special needs or medical disabilities brings with it so many added variables. As if having a strong marriage and being a great parent weren't hard enough, what happens when you have to travel for 20 hours of therapy each week in addition to your other tasks and roles?

This is the journey Nick and Jackie Tait are walking. With three beautiful children ages five and under, their five year old was born at 23 weeks. Today, he is a walking miracle. However, he has medical disabilities and developing special needs that require added attention and care.

In this episode, we talk with Nick and Jackie (a 22:6 family!) about their story. Their countenance and approach alone speaks volumes. They share with us not only what they have done to maintain a strong marriage, but also what they need from others who aren't walking the same road.

Here are a few highlights from our discussion with Nick and Jackie:

* Grieving the loss of dreams you had for your child
* The pressure of social media in comparing your family to others
* The surprising benefits of reaching out and asking for help
* The high divorce rate and how to focus on your marriage
* How to genuinely interact with each child
* Practical advice on how to interact with families who have a child with special or medical needs

Guest bios:

Jackie Tait is married to her college sweetheart, Nick, and is a mama to three littles. As a nonprofit writer and communicator, she is passionate about child and maternal health and telling the stories of the world\\u2019s most vulnerable people. Her first children\\u2019s book, The Adventures of Abuelito, is available on Amazon, benefitting UC San Diego\\u2019s neonatal intensive care unit where she serves on the Women and Infants Advisory Council.

Based out of San Diego, Nick Tait is a commercial insurance broker at\\xa0Marsh & McLennan Agency and\\xa0leads the Life Science Practice Group for the West region. Originally from the U.K., Nick has been married to his wife, Jackie, for eleven years, and together they have three children. In his spare time, Nick enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf and following Formula 1 racing.

Show Notes:\\xa0

Click here to check out Jackie's children book: The Adventures of Abuelito.



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To learn more about the 22:6 Parenting Community, click here! We'd love to journey with you!"